Summer can sometimes come with an increase in expenses. It’s not uncommon for electric bills to be high due to more air conditioning use. Some individuals may choose to go on vacation during the summer as well.
If you don’t have enough to pay for these expenses, borrowing money might be something worth considering. Different types of loans to consider include installment loans and cash advances. Here are five ways to borrow money this summer:
An installment loan provides a borrower with a set amount of money you can repay with interest over a specific period of time. The timeline for payment of an installment loan can be anywhere from a few months to a few years. A secured installment loan requires collateral, such as a savings account or car. An unsecured loan requires no collateral. Installment loans can be helpful if you need to cover large expenses and may also help with building credit.
Cash advances are short-term loans that borrowers usually pay back on their next payday, in two to four weeks. With these loans, you can typically get a few hundred dollars. The benefits of a cash advance are that they’re easy to qualify for and can be paid back quickly. These loans can be great if you need to cover smaller essential or emergency expenses.
While borrowing money from friends or family can be a delicate situation, it’s not uncommon. Before asking for money, you should have a clear estimate of how much you’ll need based on your current expenses. If you’re borrowing money due to a job loss, you should also take into account what you’ll be receiving from unemployment benefits.
Once you figure out how much you’ll need, creating a loan contract can help make the friend or family member more comfortable with loaning the money. A loan contract should include how much you’re borrowing, the interest being charged, how much the payments will be, and the repayment timeline.
A home equity loan is a type of loan where homeowners use the equity in their home as collateral. The amount of money loaned is based on the difference between your home’s current market value and the mortgage balance due. Borrowers can either apply for a fixed-rate home equity loan, which offers one lump-sum amount, or a home equity line of credit which offers revolving lines of credit. Home equity loans are often used for making home improvements but can also be used for other large expenses.
Whenever anyone makes a transaction with a credit card, they’re borrowing money from a credit card company. Payment on the credit card is due 21 to 25 days after the billing cycle ends. Credit cards are great for paying off short-term debt. If you make consistent on-time payments, a credit card can also help build your credit score.
You can choose a credit card to apply for, and credit card companies will decide whether to approve you based on factors such as credit history and income. Borrowers should evaluate what they need money for this summer to decide which option is right for them to borrow money.