What You Need to Know about Online Short Term Loans

When you need money fast, an online short term loan may be a solution to your financial problems.

Maybe you’ve lost hours due to the pandemic, you’re facing a major household repair, or you need to take your dog to the vet. Whatever urgent situation you’re dealing with, borrowing money online may seem like a quick and convenient way to cover these bills.

But there’s more to these online loans than that. These financial products are ideal for specific circumstances that you must consider before you apply. 

Online Short Term Loans Are for Unexpected Emergencies

An online short term loan may be a fantastic, last-minute safety net when your savings run short in an emergency. They float you enough cash to handle an unexpected, non-recurring bill that you wouldn’t otherwise be able to handle on your own.

What is an emergency? 

It looks different for everyone, but it’s generally an urgent bill or expense that you can’t ignore or anticipate, including:

  • The time your car breaks down suddenly, and you need help paying the mechanic.
  • When your dog eats chocolate, and you need to cover the surprise trip to the vet.
  • If what you thought were allergies turns into a sinus infection, and you fall short of what you need for antibiotics. 

Helping you with these kinds of emergencies is an online short term loan’s sole purpose. 

If you need help making a planned purchase — like buying a new couch, car, or vacation — then there are other quick options available. Check out these four ways to potentially get cash fast before you turn to online short term loans for help. And make sure to only apply for online loans for emergency expenses.

Short Terms May Be Over Quick

The word “term” in this particular context refers to its lifespan. Ashort term loan’s lifespan is over and done within a relatively quick time. 

Compare this to something with a longer lifespan, like a mortgage. While it may take you decades to pay off a mortgage, a short term may last between a few months and a few years.

Short terms may come with an advantage. Since they won’t last very long, you won’t have to worry about including them in your budget forever. Once you pay it off, you’ll free up cash earlier than if you were locked into longer terms.

Unfortunately, its short terms may also be a disadvantage depending on your budget. With shorter terms, you have less time to scrounge up the cash you need to repay what you owe. This may put the squeeze on an already tight budget; you may find it difficult to meet these deadlines while juggling other bills. 

That’s why it’s always a good idea to check that your repayment schedule fits your budget before you borrow money.

Living on a shoestring budget doesn’t mean you can’t ever borrow money, but it may mean you have to tweak this spending plan significantly in order to afford it. Click here to see how you might do this.

The Takeaway

When you’re facing an unexpected emergency, online short term loans may act as a safety net. Just make sure you read the fine print carefully, as this will help you determine if its short terms are something you can handle. 

Brett Sartorial
 

Brett is a business journalist with a focus on corporate strategy and leadership. With over 15 years of experience covering the corporate world, Brett has a reputation for being a knowledgeable, analytical and insightful journalist. He has a deep understanding of the business strategies and leadership principles that drive the world's most successful companies, and is able to explain them in a clear and compelling way. Throughout his career, Brett has interviewed some of the most influential business leaders and has covered major business events such as the World Economic Forum and the Davos. He is also a regular contributor to leading business publications and has won several awards for his work.