You can get approved for some loans, such as emergency loans, payday loans, and bad-credit or no-credit-check loans, even if you don’t have the best credit or stable income. They can provide you with the funds you need to pay for any expense that may come your way.

But just because these loans are easy to get, doesn’t mean they’re right for you. Some come with sky-high interest rates and fees that can take a serious toll on your finances.

Easiest loans and their risks

If you’re searching for loans to cover an unexpected expense, you might consider taking out an emergency loan, a payday loan or a bad-credit or no-credit-check loan. While these types of loans are usually easy to get, each has risks.

Emergency loans

An emergency loan is a personal loan used to cover unexpected expenses, such as medical bills or car repair bills. Lenders typically let you borrow $1,000 or more; some lenders even deposit the funds into your account the same day you sign the loan agreement. The interest rate you get on an emergency loan depends on several factors, such as your credit score, income and debt-to-income ratio.

Expect to pay between 5.99 and 35.99 percent in interest. The lower your credit score, the higher the interest rate. If the lender charges origination fees, you’ll generally pay between 1 and 8 percent of the loan amount.

Risks: If you don’t have a good to excellent credit score (at least 670) and a solid income, your loan may come with high interest rates and fees.

Payday loans

Payday loans are short-term loans designed to be paid back by your next pay period or within two weeks of taking out the loan. Because most payday lenders don’t check your credit, these are easy loans to get. However, they come with serious drawbacks in the form of steep interest rates and fees.

In fact, the average interest rate on a 14-day, $300 payday loan is more than 650 percent in some states. If you’re unable to repay the loan by the due date, you could incur what’s referred to as rollover fees (assuming payday loan rollovers are permitted in your state).

Risks: Since these loans come with excessive fees, they’re best used as a last resort. If you can’t afford to repay the loan by the next pay period, you risk digging yourself into a deeper hole financially.

Bad-credit or no-credit-check loans

A bad-credit loan is a personal loan for borrowers who have less-than-stellar credit or minimal credit history. Although minimum credit score requirements vary by lender, you’ll typically need at least a 580 credit score to qualify. If you don’t meet the lender’s minimum credit score requirement, an alternative is getting a no-credit-check loan. The downside to a no-credit-check loan is similar to a payday loan — it comes with high APRs and fees.

Risks: If you have a really low credit score, you risk being charged a high interest rate and fees — some personal loan lenders have maximum interest rates as high as 35.99 percent.

Alternatives to easy loans

If you want to avoid the borrowing costs associated with the loans discussed above, here are some alternatives to consider.

Local banks and credit unions

If you’re a member of a local bank or credit union, contact it to see if you can qualify for a personal loan. Since you have a relationship with the institution, you may qualify for better rates and terms. For example, PenFed Credit Union offers personal loans with no origination fees and APRs as low as 4.99 percent.

Local charities and nonprofits

Check with your local chamber of commerce or library or dial 211 to see if there are grants available in your area. Depending on your income level, you may qualify for federal or state rental assistance or food assistance programs. If you need help paying for rent, you can use the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s database to search for rental assistance programs in your area.

Payment plans

If you can’t afford to pay for a phone bill, medical bill or another bill in full, ask the company if you can set up a payment plan. Although you’ll probably be charged an additional fee or interest, it might cost less than getting a loan. Furthermore, you won’t have to submit a formal application or undergo a credit check.

Paycheck advances

If you need to pay for an expense immediately but don’t get paid until a week from now or later, ask your employer for a paycheck advance. You’ll be borrowing money from yourself, which prevents you from racking up debt and having to repay interest and fees to a lender.

Loan or hardship distribution from your 401(k) plan

If you need more money than you could get with a paycheck advance or your employer doesn’t offer them and you have a 401(k), consider asking for a 401(k) loan or hardship assistance. There’s no credit check, and you can access the funds quickly in most cases.

But you can expect to pay interest on the loan amount even though you’re borrowing from yourself. These funds are deposited back into your retirement account but on a post-tax basis.

Borrow money from family or friends

If you want to avoid taking out an easy loan or pay minimal interest, ask a family member or friend to borrow money. This option lets you avoid the formal process of applying for a loan, and you may have more flexible repayment options. Also, the person who loans you money might not charge you interest. Get the terms of the loan agreement in writing and repay the loan as promised to avoid damaging your relationship with the lender.

Next steps

Before you take out an easy loan, make sure you explore all of your borrowing options. Doing so can help you pay the least amount of interest possible or get the best terms. If taking out an emergency loan is your only option to access cash quickly, prequalify for a personal loan to compare rates, fees and terms from multiple lenders. If you have a membership with a credit union or bank, contact it to see if you qualify for a personal loan.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to get the loan funds?

Every lender is unique. Many lenders, however, offer fast funding, especially those who operate online. You may be able to receive the money via direct deposit within a few business days, 24 hours, or even the same day you apply.

Do I need any documents to apply for a loan?

In most cases, you will have to provide some documents to apply for a loan. These may include a government-issued ID like your driver’s license or passport that proves your identity as well as pay stubs and tax forms that reveal your financial situation.

What can I do to secure a loan with better terms?

To get approved for a loan with a low rate and favorable terms, boost your credit score. You can do so if you pay your bills on time, lower your debt levels, limit how often you apply for new accounts, and dispute any errors or inaccuracies on your credit reports.

Original Post:https://www.bankrate.com/loans/personal-loans/easiest-loans/