How Good Are the Alternatives to Cash Loans?

When you are in a financial emergency, you would naturally consider cash loans, which are available in hours. At the same time, these products have got bad press for their high interest rates. That is why many experts are proposing alternatives. The big question is whether these are really better.

Credit Cards

The major advantage of credit cards over cash loans is that the money is available instantly. You simply need to go to the nearest ATM to get the cash which you need. The cards typically have lower interest rates as well. Most products come with a rate of around 20% per year while the quick cash credit products typically carry rates of over 500% per year. However, this does not necessarily make the use of credit cards less expensive.

Firstly, when you take out cash using a credit card, there is a considerable withdrawal fee which you have to pay automatically. It is usually high enough to put you off taking out small amounts of money. Furthermore, interest is charged from the day when you take out the cash. If you do not repay the due amount in the next month, the interest payment will become even higher and so on. With a simple loan, on the other hand, you can choose a shorter repayment term to save money.

Loans from Friends and Family

These are perhaps the least expensive of all credit options including cash loans. A family member or a friend may not even ask for interest to be paid. The problem with these loans is that they are often hard to get. The people who are close to you may not have enough money to help you out. Besides, they may need some time to think about lending you money and to arrange the loan. In such cases, you may not get the cash fast enough to resolve the urgent problem.

Peer to Peer Lending

This form of lending is gaining ever greater popularity. It typically uses online platforms where individuals who are able to lend money meet with ones who need money. The two parties arrange the terms of the deal and the cash is transferred straight away. The individual lenders do not run credit checks, but will typically want to see proof of income. In some cases, they may require collateral as well.

Peer to peer lending may turn out to be more expensive than the online cash loans especially if you are in desperate need of money. Furthermore, since the lender is not regulated in any way, you may get into serious trouble.