
As we take on the challenges that adulthood presents us, we need to figure out a way to balance our finances.
We all run into difficult financial times, placing a strain on our emotional and mental wellbeing. During these times it is important to know where to turn to in order to get some help and overcome difficult situations.
We cannot always control certain elements in our lives and falling into financial strain can, unfortunately, be one of those situations. Thankfully, there is light in our situation and there are a few ways to get out of such difficulty. Here are the most reliable ways to get financial help during hard times.
Borrowing
Your first option is to borrow from your family. Many will argue that you should avoid this as you can potentially put your relationship with them at risk. However, you know yourself and your level of integrity and as long as you ensure that you have a plan to return the money in a timely manner, all is well.
Borrowing from family is great as you can have the money immediately in order to help yourself get out of a sticky spot. This is also great if you have bad credit or want to avoid a longed out process of borrowing money in a more formal manner. Your loved ones are always willing to help you out, so don’t be afraid to go out on a limb to see if they can help you.
Loans
There are a couple of different ways to get the money you need through a loan. Most banks have loan programs in place if you need cash quickly. Another option is payday loans which are small, short-term loans used in an emergency situation. The principal and the interest are usually paid back in monthly installments.
If you opt for a bank loan, you may run into issues if you have bad credit. This can affect the bank’s willingness to loan you the money. With payday loans, this is less likely to occur as not all companies will take your credit score into account. You can also look for online payday loans for bad credit if you are in need of the money as soon as possible. This way, you could even receive the money in your bank account the very same day, as it won’t need to go through a long approval process.
Salary Advance
You may be unaware that this option is available to you. Although not widely advertised or known, you can often receive a salary advance by speaking to your workplace or your HR department. This will most likely be subject to reviews and may be limited in some cases. However, it certainly doesn’t hurt to try. Remember though that this will mean you will receive a lower amount when your payroll kicks in. Although if you are in need of the money as soon as possible, this hardly matters.
This is a great way to drum up the cash you need as you won’t be paying interest on it as the money is already yours. You’re just getting it a little early. If your workplace won’t allow a salary advance, they may have some financial assistance programs in place. If you don’t work or are currently in education, reach out to your institution as they will often have financial aid programs or bursaries in place to assist you.
Credit Card Advance
Did you also know that you could receive a cash advance from your credit card? You will need to be careful with this option though as the interest rates tend to be very high. If you want to go for this option, make sure you have money coming in that will help you pay this off as soon as possible. You will often end up accruing interest on the balance and can be asked to pay a fee.
Do your best to stay on top of your finances to avoid getting into a bad spot. Plan a budget and stick to it. Ensure you live below your means and start saving for an emergency fund in case anything does go wrong. If your financial crisis is happening right now, take this as an opportunity to learn from it so you can grow and do better in the future. Sometimes these things occur to set us straight and teach us a valuable lesson. Pay close attention now so you don’t have to go through the same lesson in the future!