payday loans vs Installment loans

What are Payday & Installment Loans? How to Choose them?

Loan

Last Updated on 09/01/2024 by Pardeep Garg

Payday and instalment loans are becoming an increasingly popular choice for anybody who needs to access a small amount of cash quickly. Whether you are in a temporary financial emergency or are dealing with an unexpected expense that you can’t cover with your usual wage, a payday or instalment loan can help you afford the costs and then spread the repayments in a way that suits you best.

You may struggle to pay the cost of your child’s tuition or need to buy them school supplies. Perhaps there are expenses for basic needs at home that you’re struggling to shoulder. These loans can provide a financial solution to your stressful situation. Just make sure to pay them on time to prevent incurring high interest rates.

Payday Loans:

Payday loans do exactly what it says on the tin – this type of loan is typically borrowed until your next payday when it will be repaid in full. They are an ideal choice for anybody who is temporarily short on money and needs to bridge the gap until their next paycheck but does not want to be tied into lengthier repayment terms. If you need to borrow a small amount of money and want to pay it all back in one go next time you get your wage, this could be the ideal loan for you.

Many credit merchants approve a payday loan without collateral, and many already have an instant cash advance app that you can download. With the app, the loan application becomes relatively easy. The requirements for a payday loan are also pretty straightforward. You only need to be 18 years old and above, have an active checking account, and have valid identification. 

Installment Loans:

Installment loans work similarly to payday loans but rather than paying them all back when you are next paid, the repayments are spread over multiple paydays. Typically, they last for a few months, making them an ideal choice for anybody who needs to borrow more than they would be able to comfortably afford to pay back on their next payday. If you’re borrowing short-term money, you want to avoid getting stuck into a trap where your repayment leaves you short the next month. Instalment loans can be an ideal solution for spreading the cost in a way that doesn’t leave you in any further financial trouble.

Instalment loans can also be applied to purchasing high-ticket items you would ordinarily have difficulty purchasing in cash, like an automobiles, home mortgages, and student loans. That said, you have to be careful in handling instalment loans because there’s a risk of losing the collateral in the event of delinquency. 

It’s always smart to compute your take-home pay after all your expenses and loans, so you’re sure there’s always money left to fulfil certain financial obligations. Otherwise, you run the risk of losing what exactly you loaned for.

How to Choose Between The Two:

Deciding on whether a payday loan or an instalment loan is the right option for you will depend on your circumstances and how much you need to borrow. Before making your application, check out a provider like Loan Express for the range of options that are available to you and be honest about your situation to make it easier to pick the right product. It’s a good idea to consider how much you earn each month and make a list of your outgoings so that you can see how much per month you can afford to repay a loan. If you’ve got enough left to pay the loan off in full without leaving yourself short, a payday loan might be the best choice for you. On the other hand, if repaying in full will leave you short once again, consider an instalment loan that allows you to spread the cost further.

Tips for Responsible Borrowing:

Bear in mind that payday and instalment loans are designed to cover financial emergencies and should not be used for general spending since they tend to have high-interest rates that can seriously cost you over time. Before taking out this type of loan, it’s a good idea to consider any possible cheaper alternatives, make sure that the repayments are going to be affordable to you, and only borrow the exact amount that you need to cover your emergency expenses.

If you need cash quickly in an emergency, a payday or instalment loan can save the day – but take your time to choose the right option for you.