A quick cash loan can be either a blessing or a curse. It can provide you with enough funds to get out of a financial emergency, but it can also quickly put you into debt if you aren’t careful. If you ever find yourself in need of such a loan, make sure to keep these helpful hints in mind.

• The first thing to remember when applying for a payday cash advance is to look very closely at all the fees so that you will know exactly how much you will be paying for your loan. The government has various rate regulations in place to protect borrowers, but many payday loan companies get around these regulations by tacking on additional fees and raising the cost of the loan.
• When you apply for a payday loan, never be afraid to ask questions and gather as much information as you can. Ask for a supervisor if you think you can haggle for a better deal than what they would otherwise offer. The company will want your business, so they may be willing to make a deal with you.
• Pay attention to how much your loan will cost you in the long run. For every $100 you borrow from a cash advance company, expect to pay between $15 and $35 if you repay the loan within two weeks. This can get very expensive if you need to take out larger loans.
• Only take out a payday loan in an emergency. Thanks to the high interest rates, taking out a payday loan to pay for a shopping spree or a vacation is not a good idea.
• You must be 18 or older to apply for a payday loan in the United States. A minor cannot sign off on a loan in person or online.
• Always remember when you should pay off your loan. Mark it on your calendar, and make sure you have the necessary funds to make your payment in full when the time comes. Keep the interest rate in mind when you calculate how much you will need to pay.
• If you find that you cannot pay back your loan on time or you have had trouble making payments in the past, don’t be afraid to get some help. Many cash advance companies have free services that can lower the interest rates on loans and make them easier to pay back.
• Read all the related documents very carefully when applying for a loan. This sounds obvious, but many people fail to read the fine print closely and end up owing more money than they can afford to pay back.

As you can probably guess, a payday loan can be your best friend or your worst enemy. If used responsibly, the occasional payday loan can be a blessing in a financial emergency, but they can also plunge a person deeply into debt. Remember these helpful tips, and always look over the paperwork very carefully to ensure that you have a positive experience with your loan.