The Cost Of Fast Cash For Students: Payday Loans Versus Credit Card Cash Advances

Abstract

When asked if they, a friend or a family member has borrowed cash quickly, spur-of-the-moment, with little or no credit checking or collateral, many respond affirmatively. Twenty-one of eighty- two students (25.6%) from my Spring, 2007, Personal Finance course have first-hand knowledge of a credit card cash advance, while seven of eighty-two students (8.5%) have first-hand knowledge of a payday loan transaction. Two of eighty-two students (2.4%) claim to know of instances of both methods of obtaining cash quickly. While both methods of borrowing should be avoided, should an emergency loan be necessary, the cost of a credit card cash advance is significantly lower than the cost of a payday loan.