Can Cash Advances be a Good Idea?

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Can Cash Advances be a Good Idea?

Rarely. They can provide quick cash, however, charges and interest are high and can be costly. Less expensive alternatives exist.

By Anisha Sekar Anisha is a former personal finance writer for NerdWallet. She has worked for Silicon Valley startups as well as the public sector. She she has written for publications like Technorati along with Women Grow Business. She completed her studies in applied mathematics and economics at Brown University.

Oct 7, 2022

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Sometimes, you may be in a situation where you require cash, but holding nothing but credit cards. Maybe you’re at an establishment that is cash-only or your taxi driver won’t take plastic. Whatever the reason, a cash advance can seem like a tempting alternative. A cash advance is a short-term loan from the credit card balance. It’s a simple operation that can result in expensive results. More often than not it’s not a good idea.

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The issue is with cash advances.

The process of getting a cash advance can be simple as visiting a bank teller , or an ATM or ATM, showing your card and walking out with cash. It sounds ideal but cash advances are more likely to be accompanied by fees or more interest rates. This article will provide a detailed explanation of the differences between cash advances and a typical purchase:

Cash advance fee as the name suggests, this is a one-time fee charged when you get your cash advance. It usually ranges from 3% to 5percent of the amount. If, for instance, you make a $200 cash advance, the fee of between $6 and $10 would be tacked on to the balance of your account.

A higher interest rate: Many cards have a higher APR for cash advances than regular purchases.

There is no grace period The credit card typically offers you at minimum 20 days to settle the purchase prior to being charged interest. Cash advances however, start to accrue interest on the first day.

Lower credit limit: Some credit cards come with a loan credit limit, which is lower than the overall credit limit.

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What are the alternatives to a cash advance?

There are many more . Here are a few examples that might be more appropriate to you:

Promotions offered by your card’s issuer. In recent years, some offers, like the possibility to convert your credit into the form of an installment loan without the need for a fresh loan application. There’s still a charge for interest when you take advantage of this feature but you could get a more reasonable rate.

An overdraft to your checking account: It can cost anywhere from $25 to $35 if your balance falls below zero, but you’ve given permission to the bank to permit the withdrawal regardless. You are able to opt-out from this, obviously however, it’s an alternative for funds that are needed in the short term. Be cautious, however -Some banks will also charge extended overdraft fees.

A withdrawal that occurs early from the CD (CD) It is another option for those who need money right away. However, CDs are meant for long-term deposits, so you may have your CD canceled.

The option is usually more involved than the other alternatives, since it requires going to a bank and applying for the loan. Interest rates on 24-month personal loans are lower than on most credit cards However, the rates for short-term loans of payday lending companies are typically higher.

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When does a cash advance have a sense?

Cash advances almost never seem to make sense.

In comparison to the options previously mentioned, you may likely discover that a cash advance from you credit card might be the most affordable option after you’ve crunched the numbers (though you may want to think about opening a bank account with ). However, it’s probably not going to be free. If you’re forced to get a cash advance it is only sensible to do it in the event that you are certain you will have the money to pay it back as fast as you can. Otherwise, the interest piles up with every passing day.

The balance might tip in favor of cash advances if you’re using a card that doesn’t charge a cash advance charge. In this situation, you’ll need to worry about the interest payment.

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It’s even better: avoid the need for an advance

Make an emergency fund in order to cover the unexpected costs. Set up automatic deductions that transfer money from your primary checking account to a “rainy day” account, or look at a few methods to earn additional income on the side.

If you find yourself considering cash advances because you’ve neglected to carry cash,, it’s a good idea to look into debit cards that come with . So, you’ll be able to go to the ATM closest to you without getting slapped with an out-of-network charge.

About the writer: Anisha Sekar is a former personal finance writer for NerdWallet. She has worked for Silicon Valley startups and in the public sector. She was a mathematician who studied applied economics at Brown University.

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