When you need a quick loan, it’s easy to jump online and find a sea of options to choose from. The thing is, there are loads of loan options out there are designed for specific circumstances. When you’re on the hunt for a smart loan in Australia, it helps to know a few of the most crucial financial ground rules that’ll let you separate the good from the bad.

In this article, we’re going over some of the most important things you need to look for when you’re searching for the perfect loan option. These are the key things you need to ask yourself:

Do you need the money right now or can you wait?

There are two forms of loan, short-term and long-term. Long-term loans are the conventional personal loan format that are commonly offered by banks and well known financial institutions.

They take a bit longer to apply for, usually span over years into the future, and the interest rate you receive is based on your credit history. If you need the cash right away to solve a really urgent issue,  a long-term loan isn’t the best option for you.

Short-term loans are much faster. They are designed to be paid back within weeks or months of you receiving the money. These short-term solutions are usually referred to as payday loans. The best advantage of a payday loan is speed.

At Cigno Loans, we offer to make payment within 24 hours of your application being approved. Need the funds today or tomorrow? Then this is the way to go.

What’s your credit score like?

If you have an amazing credit score, you’ll be able to access options like overdrafts and credit cards. It’s important to remember that credit cards, overdrafts, and payday loans usually have a similar cost range in terms of interest rates and fees, so it’s worth doing some looking around to find the best offers.

If you have a poor credit score, you won’t have easy access to a lot of financial products or credit purchases. Payday loans traditionally don’t include a credit check. So even if your credit history is really bad, you’ll have no problem getting a short-term loan as long as you can prove you earn a stable income from work.

The most important thing any payday loan provider is going to want to check is your monthly salary. At Cigno, we do this by asking to see your most recent bank statements. If it looks like you can afford the loan comfortably, we’ll be happy to help.

What do you need the loan for?    

Need the money for a really urgent situation? Then taking a payday loan is completely justified. Want the money to plan a big holiday? Then you shouldn’t really be using short-term financial products to fund it.

There are loads of ways to handle holidays that don’t cost too much, but the amount you spend isn’t the only problem – your ability to pay back within the next month is just as vital. The thing to remember with payday loans is that they’re designed to help you get through tough times, not pay for luxury pleasures.

When you take a conventional personal loan or credit card, once you’re approved for the money, you can do what you like with the funds provided. With short-term loans however, we like to be far more careful that you’re using the cash for something you absolutely need.

If you tell us that you’re looking to buy a new accessory for your car or a new bag, we’ll be forced to advise that you have a very careful rethink of your intentions and this will mean delays.

Some of the most common reasons we provide our loans include:

• To repair damages to the house that compromise your safety and well being.
• Repairs to cars that are vital for your travel to work.
• Food and necessities for the rest of the month.

That’s it! These are the main things you should be asking yourself when you’re looking for a smart loan in Australia. When you’re low on cash, and need a quick injection of funds to make it to your next payday, a short-term loan is your best bet. Have more time and want a larger amount of money to do something more special? Then you have the freedom to look for long-term personal loans from established providers.  

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Read more about bad payday loans here, or in our previous blog post: Why No Fuss Payday loans Are Rising In Popularity

Disclaimer: Please be aware that Cigno Loans’ articles do not replace advice from an accountant or financial advisor. All information provided is intended to be used as a guide only, as it does not take into account your personal financial situation or needs. If you require assistance, it is recommended that you consult a licensed financial or tax advisor.