It’s a sobering thought that 60% of Americans don’t have at least $1,000 in their savings account. If you’re one of them and you find yourself faced with an emergency bill, you may be panicking about how you’re going to pay for it.
Fortunately, there are options, even if you have a less-than-stellar credit report. Here are eight places to borrow money from if you’re short on cash.
1. Banks
If your credit does happen to be good, taking out a personal loan from a bank is probably your safest bet. You’ll need to do your homework first, however. Not every bank offers personal loans and some charge an origination fee, which is used to cover administrative expenses.
If you’ve been a customer at your current bank for a while, ask if you qualify for a relationship discount which is usually a lower interest rate. Some banks reward loyal customers by giving them breaks on personal loans. You may need to provide collateral such as your home or automobile as insurance that you’ll be able to repay your loan on time.
2. Credit Unions
A credit union is generally more forgiving with approving loans and mortgages for customers who don’t have perfect credit. The catch with credit unions is that you have to meet certain criteria in order to become a member. For example, some credit unions only allow employees from an approved list of employers to join.
If you can find a credit union that accepts you as a member you may receive a lower interest rate and fees and have an easier time getting accepted versus borrowing a loan from a bank.
3. Payday Loan Lenders
If you need a quick, small amount of cash that you know you can repay right away, a payday loan may be a good option for you. Payday loans are short-term loans that have to be repaid by your next payday; hence, the name.
The downfall to these types of loans is that the fee is usually very high—as much as $15 for every $100 borrowed which would work out to be a very high-interest rate. This fee varies by state, but it’s important to know the terms of a payday loan before you agree to one.
4. Online Lenders
Online lenders such as Quicken Loans and LendingClub may be good options if you need money quickly. They offer a lot of flexibility and are more forgiving towards borrowers who don’t have a high credit score. Usually, you can receive the money in your online account in one or two business days.
The drawbacks include higher interest rates and shorter loan periods but again, do your research to find an online loan company that can meet your needs.
5. Credit Card Cash Advance
Obtaining a cash advance from your credit card can be a quick fix if you’ve been making the minimum monthly payments on your bill and paying it on time. You will have to pay a fee that is usually between three and five percent along with interest.
One risky thing about this borrowing option is that you’re looking at potentially paying a lot of interest. Interest on cash advances compounds daily and that can pack quite a bit onto the amount you need to pay back. You should carefully weigh the pros and cons of cash advances on your credit card before you pursue this option.
A safer bet may be to get a cash advance from your bank or credit union.
6. Pawn Shops
Many people are unaware that they can borrow money from pawn shops. This might be a good option if you have a valuable item such as jewelry, a musical instrument, or photography equipment and only need a few hundred dollars.
With a pawn shop loan, you’ll leave your item with the shop and receive a loan that is usually 25% to 60% of the item’s resale value. Pawn shops usually don’t bother to check a borrower’s credit history, but you can expect a very high interest rate. If you default on the loan, the item you turned in as collateral becomes the shop’s property and they can resell it.
7. Your Home Equity Line of Credit
You can also borrow money from your home equity line of credit, or HELOC. Although many people use the funds to pay for a home-related expense, there’s nothing stopping you from using the money to pay for a vacation or settle a bill. You’re usually allowed to borrow up to 80% of the equity of your home.
The interest rates for HELOC loans are usually fairly low. The major disadvantage is that your home is being used as collateral in case you default on the loan. And if you sell your home, you’ll be expected to pay back the HELOC loan right away.
8. Friends and Family Members
When all else fails, you can always ask a family member or friend to loan you money. Of course, this all depends on how trustworthy the other person views you and if they’re willing to lend the cash. If you fail to repay the loan promptly, things can get awkward at family gatherings in a hurry.
You also won’t be building up your credit score by going through this avenue, so that’s another downside to consider.
Remember These Places to Borrow Money
Hopefully, you won’t get hit with a financial emergency that requires you to take out a loan. But remembering these places to borrow money can help you out of a jam or until you can get back on your feet again. No matter which one you choose, remember to do your research so you’ll know exactly what you need to pay back including any fees.
For more money management tips, check out our latest lifestyle posts.