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Cash advances are short-term, high-interest loans that you can get from several entities, including your credit card company and companies that specialize in payday loans. Check out Mahalo's guide on how to get a cash advance if you think you might want or need to obtain one.
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Introduction
- Cash advances are generally paid out in small sums of money, usually $2,000 or less. Also, many of these kinds of loans have short windows in which you can repay them; their interest rates often increase sharply if you do not pay the loans back within this time period.
Step 1: Shop Around
- Payday loans have extremely high interest rates that can top 300% or more. But if you go forward with one, check out several different lenders to get the best deal under the circumstances. If you already have a credit card, the terms of your account may allow for lower interest rates than a cash advance company.
Step 2: Know the Terms
- There are several different types of cash advance loans out there, and they can vary wildly in terms of fees, interest rates, and loan repayment times. Make sure you are clear on the terms of the loan you choose to get, including how long you have to pay back the loan, and how much money you will need to pay back.
Step 3: Get the Loan
- You can get a cash advance loan from a location near you, or also online. If you choose to get a loan online, be vigilant in researching the company to make sure you don't get scammed. To get the loan, you may need to provide:
- Bank statements or bank account information
- Pay stub
- Employment information
Credit Card Advances
- A cash advance from your credit card company will generally come with a higher interest rate than the balance you established with normal purchases. However, it may offer a better rate than a company that specializes in cash advances.
- Check your credit card statement/agreement: Your credit card statement will list the different interest rates for different types of purchases, including cash advances. The terms of your card agreement will give more details about cash advances.
- Figure out final cost: Figure out if there are extra fees that will be charged for the cash advance so you know how much you are being charged for the cash.
Conclusion
- Because cash advances are generally extremely high-interest loans, you'll want to pay the loan back as quickly as possible. Some loans are required to be repaid within 14 days. However, recent law changes are causing many cash advance companies to favor longer-term loans.
- Recent state legislation has attempted to regulate cash advance loans to make them fairer to consumers. Federal legislation is also in the works. Until then, comparison shopping for the best rate and paying the advance back as fast as possible can help you make the most of a necessary evil.
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