Payday Loans Blog

According to a recent press release from Check City, The Travel Channel has recently joined with Feeding America in an effort to take on the lifelong and worldwide hunger problem. Check City, noting the great need and our unique position to help, has set up bins across the Wasatch front, located in each of our stores, in order to help Feed America.  The event runs March 8-27, 2010 and you can donate by dropping off cans at any of our Conveniently Located Stores. You don't have to be a Check City customer to donate, and in fact, we encourage you to stop by and donate whether or not you are a current Check City customer.

All donations made will go directly to the community food bank and The Travel Channel will also be donating $1,000 to a selected community food bank. Check City anticipates a high turnout with your help. Visit a Utah Check City Location to do your part to help feed America's Hungry.

Many people are unaware of the high numbers of people and families who don't have enough to eat within the United States and that these same numbers are not on the decline. On the contrary, as the economy continues to hurt, the numbers of hungry Americans are instead on the rise.  If you are in a position to help, by even donating one can, please visit your nearest Wasatch front Check City Location. Every can counts.

Check City is a Payday Lender that offers great deals on various financial services. We help those who can't always help themselves. If you are a little worried about where you next meal may be coming from, visit Check City. We have good prices on our Payday Loans, also known as Cash Advances, so you can get some money from your next paycheck today! Borrowers however, should be completely aware that these loans are intended for the short term and if you are having serious financial issues, to please contact a professional credit or financial advisor.  Check City offers Cash Advances by phone, on our Check City Website or in one of our many Store Locations across America.

Check City, partnering with Insure Utah offers Insurance Options for our Utah customers. With a complete range of options-including auto, morotcycle, boat, RV life, homeowners and commercial insurance- at very competitive prices. Pick up the red phone at any of the participating Utah Check City Locations to see how much money you can save today. Se habla espanol.

Check City knows that you are busy and wants to help you save time and money on insurance for your family.  We can do that with our great partners from Insure Utah. At Check City Insurance, we're standing by to do all the busywork for you. We'll provide you with quotes from a wide selection of insurance companies to make sure you get the best plan for the best price. You can stop by Check City any time for a free quote-and even purchase your policy at the same time.  If you don't want to stop by one of our store locations just for a quote, you can call us, and then take as much time as you need to choose a plan.  When you have selected a plan you can pick up your policy the next time you stop by one of our stores. It's that easy.

On top of being able to get you great Insurance rates, there are also great Mortgage rates available from Check City that are available only in Utah because of the complexity of the service.  Check City not only offers Insurance and Mortgages but our specialty is Payday Loans, also commonly referred to as Cash Advances.  If you need a little extra money before your next paycheck visit Check City online or in one of our Store Locations to learn all about our great rates on our Cash Advances or take advantage of one of our other services offered.

As an added service to our customers, Check City now offers Online Payday Loans in Texas.  As of March 8, 2010 Check City has registered with Texas as a statewide online Payday Lender. The loans are short term, and meant to help consumers who could use a little extra help with money until their next payday. They are easy to obtain and no credit checks are required. All loans made in the state will be backed by NCP Finance. There are no store locations in the state as of now, but Texas residents can log onto CheckCity.com to get a Payday Loan online or by phone.

For Texas consumers who are currently uneducated about the details and benefits of a Payday Loan (also referred to as a Cash Advance) here are some advantages to having a payday loan. 

• They are short term loans, used as a financial solution when unexpected bills or unforeseen expenses arise.
• They are meant to be payed back on your next paycheck, and only cause problems for consumers when they try to keep the loan for extended amounts of time.
• The interest rates are MUCH less than paying an overdraft or late fee on bills and bank accounts. (Especially considering some fees continue to add up everyday).
• Check City provides a page with Frequently Asked Questions about Payday Loans to help answer all of your other Payday Loan questions.

To learn more about Check City's online Payday Lending in the state of Texas, follow this link to read the entire press release. Check City Texas Payday Loans Press Release.

In an article recently published by the New York Times, Payday Loans, also refered to as Cash Advances, are compared to a taxi cab. Some may complain about the fees associated with Payday Loans and say that the rates are too high, but these loans were never meant to be a long term solution.  They compare this idea to taxi cabs; the prices may be a little high per mile, but they are intended for short term use. Because of the higher cost of usage, you wouldn't take a taxi on a road trip, just as you shouldn't use a Payday Loan as a long term solution. Both of these concepts were created for short term usage, for convenience purposes, to help you out when you are in a bind or need a lift.

Some legislators and banks do not have anything good to say about the Payday Lending industry. However, banks especially, while pointing their finger at the Payday Loan industry, ignore the fact that they have three more fingers pointing back at themselves.  Most banking and financial institutions charge up to as much as 600% interest for a bounced check, and sometimes even more than that for overdraft protection services.  

According to the Federal Reserve Board, there are three types of fees that may be associated with writing a check for money you don't have.  One such fee may be an overdraft fee, which usually equals around $30 and varies by bank.  If you don't have an overdraft plan, and the bank doesn't want to cover your overdrafted money, they will send the check back to you with a bounced check or insufficient funds fee. Also, the person or company you wrote the check to may also charge a fee for that bounced check, or not paying on time, etc. 

So every time you overdraft your bank account, you are paying approximately $20-30 in overdraft fees.  In addition, most banks have a maximum amount they will cover of overdraft, such as $300 or $500, fees included, so that they don't get too much in the hole every time you overdraft. And along with all of this, other banks may charge an additional $5 or even $10 a day for everyday that the account is overdrafted. 

Here is a small scenario for you. Let's say you don't keep perfect track of your bank account and you overdraft three times in one day, or even if you do keep track, you have three bills that are due and you know you have overdraft protection and must pay these bills. You go ahead and pay the bills, overdrafting three times. You will get three overdraft fees, at $20-$30 each, plus the money you overdrafted for so your fees could really start to add up. Let's say your bank also charges per day that you don't refill your account. You don't get paid for another week so you are spending $70 (at $10) per day for having your account overdrafted, the three overdraft fees, plus whatever you wrote the checks for.  These can really start to add up and you may begin to feel very overwhelmed.

Scenario number two. Come to Check City and get a Payday Loan.  Our fees are much cheaper than a bank overdraft fee, you will save yourself the stress and hassle of not having any money and you can pay it off as soon as you get paid again. We don't cash your check until the date you specify.  It is an easy and much more stress free alternative to bouncing checks and paying overdraft fees.  Check City does Payday Loans by phone, online and in our many Store Locations.  Visit us today to fill out the Payday Loan application and get your money as soon as tomorrow (when applying online). You can walk out of the store with your money today!

Many Americans have spent months and even years jobless with the economy at record lows.  Hopefully you are one of the lucky people who have a job even if it is brand new and not exactly what you were expecting. Even though you finally have a new job, no doubt your bills have piled up and credit card debt seems to be looming over your head. It may be hard, but bounce back is a very real possibility. It may take you a lot of scrimping and saving, but you can make it back from that lost job. Here are a few ideas to help you get back to where you were and stay ahead of the game.

Face your Debt Head On

Talk to creditors and negotiate with them. Try to get all of your high interest balance transferred to cards with zero or at least very low interst fees.  Pay off a little each month, and try to make at least the minimum payment while you have low interest. Make sure you aren't so upset and worried about your credit card bills that you don't leave enough for month to month expenses though.  If you do this, you will have to start using your credit cards again anyways. Getting yourself into that cycle of revolving debt. When paying off debt it is very important to have a strict budget and to stick to it. You can help yourself out with this by using only debit cards or cash when you buy something. This way, you are using only what you have. Sometimes refinancing your mortgage can help you out as well, and doing it while you are employed with the current great rates could really help you out. Check City offers Mortgage Services. Because of the complexity of the service we unfortunately only have it in our Utah Locations right now, but the tips we have on mortgages could be used anywhere. 

Use Social Networking and other sites to Network and Market Yourself

Meet and build relationships with everyone and anyone you can. This includes people inside your company as well as out.  Talk to people in the same or similar industries you are in and make a name for yourself. Be someone that people remember, in a good way of course.  Volunteer with community programs and foundations as well to show that you care about the community and are willing to work for it and give back to it.  In addition to building yourself as a marketable and hot item, continue building your resume, make sure you keep it up to date and prove to your current company that you are an asset worth having.  Just in case, make sure there is a Plan B. 

Save Money            

You've heard it time and time again, when are you going to start listening? Have an emergency fund.  It only takes a tiny percentage from each paycheck to make a small emergency fund.  You can do it while you are paying off debts as well, it just means you have to start living a little less lavishly. Only eat out one time a week instead of two or even three and use that money you would have spent to eat out as your emergency money for the month. Don't take it back out when the month is over, thinking, I didn't need it last month, I'll use it for this month! Keep building on that fund so that you have a little pouch money for emergencies if the need arises. Don't forget about retirement either.  There are many different retirement plans, and I discussed a few of them yesterday. Make sure you know what they are and which would be best for you. Also discuss your options with your current employer. 

Yes, these are simple solutions to a problem that may seem overwhelming to you at the moment, but paying off debts, marketing yourself and saving for the future are things you should be doing all the time.  When these ideas are put into play you can seriously reduce the stress in your life, which may lead to long term health problems as well. 

Are you overwhelmed by your current bills and afraid you don't have enough money to get by until your next paycheck? Visit CheckCity.com or one of our many Store Locations today to learn about our helpful Payday Advances.  We can offer you a portion of your next paycheck right now with our convenient Payday Loans.  You can pay it off when it is best for you and the process is simple. Just fill out an application found on our website or in one of our stores and get started today. If you apply at one of our Store Locations you can get your check immediately, but online we can only guarantee your money by the next day. Visit us or even get a payday loan by phone! Call (866) 294-4672 for more information.

This is the last weekend before Valentine's Day. That means that this may be the last chance you have to enjoy your preperation, instead of running around like crazy at the last minute.  While your family is watching the football game on Sunday, you could all sit down together and make Valentine's Day cards for that special someone in your life, whomever they may be.  Making crafts as a family is a great way to spend some extra time with the people you care about.  Family Fun offers some good ideas for easy-to-make Valentine Cards.  Getting your kids involved to create cards for the kids in their class is a great alternative to those found in stores. Growing up, there was a girl in my same class who always hand wrote and colored all of her Valentine's cards all the way through the 6th grade. Those were always my favorite to receive because they were different and everyone knew she was their friend becasue of the time she spent, versus just buying a big box and scribbling your name in them, for everyone.These days with so many great products available to the crafter, home made items don't need to be cheesy or "crafty" looking like they often used to.

Here is one of my personal favorite from the site. The Butterfly Card; It's not too girly, or mushy and is made with sticks of gum! Instructions and materials taken directly from FamilyFun.Com On their site they also have paper airplane valentines (maybe not the best idea for school), glow stick valentines and candy flowers. There are some good ideas for the classroom as well if you are a teacher looking for some ideas. 

Materials

• Sticks of gum
• Licorice strings
• Construction paper

• Scissors
• Heart stickers
• Tape

Instructions

1. Place two pieces of string licorice between two sticks of gum, taping the top and bottom closed to secure the antennae in place.

2. Next, cut two heart-shaped wings from construction paper, write your valentine message on them, and secure them to the top stick of gum with a heart sticker. Add other stickers to give personality to your butterfly.

It's officially February and in celebration of the month of love I am giving some helpful hints about how to show your loved ones that you care.  You don't have to have a significant other to show your love for someone. Valentine's Day is a great opportunity to show anyone and everyone how much you care about them. From a best friend, to a mother to your spouse or significant other, everyone needs to be reminded every once in a while that they are loved.  There are plenty of ways to show someone you care as well.  Not only can you buy them flowers or chocolate, but you can write them a note, do some small act of kindness, or just smile when you see them. Smiles are contagious.  Don't forget that Valentine's Day is on a Sunday this year, so your shopping options on the morning of Valentine's Day may be a little more limited. Buy early.

Did you know there are a number of cities in the U.S. that have names relating to Valentine's Day? Here are a just a few:

Loveland, Ohio 45140 

Valentine, Texas 79854

Valentine, Nebraska 69201

Bridal Veil, Oregon 97010

Kissimmee, Floriday 32741

Loving, New Mexico 88256

Romance, Arkansas 72136

The reason I have included the postal zip codes with each one of these cities is because you can send a prestamped Valentine's Day card inside a larger envelope to any of these cities with the address "Postmaster-Attention Valentines" followed by the address of the post office if you can find it, and the city and state.  If you have them to that post office by around the 8th of February (Dates vary by location), they will send your Valentine's Day card to the address on the card with a love stamp on it.  These stamps may be anything from just little hearts, to a small poem or a small stamped picture.  It is an inexpensive and "love"ly idea that means a lot. 

If you want to be even more creative and have many people in your home with whom you'd like to share your love, you can make little minature love note mail boxes for everyone in the family.  Everytime your child or spouse does something for you, or something you are grateful for, you can leave them a little love note. It makes Valentine's day last longer, and it is a great family project  to make your home more peaceful in general.  You can also decorate them together as a family to spend some extra quality time together. 

There are a lot of heart shaped candies and cupcake tins around this time of year as well, and you could probably find plenty of recipes that include heart shaped items.  It is a  fun way to spend time together and make memories.

Are you a little short on cash this Valentine's Day? Check City offers services to get you cash when you need it.  We have great Check Cashing Services, Payday Loans and we have a Gold Buying Program that is sure to beat out many of the cash for gold programs you see on tv. It is locally run and operated out of our Check City Utah Locations and for that reason we can offer you anywhere from 300-400% more for your gold, silver and platinum jewelry. 

Yesterday I wrote about the problems going on with Credit Card duplication with many banks around the country. Old National was added to that list of banks that have been hit by fraud, so it is now more important than ever for you to watch your cards and your finances to be sure you aren't being hit by these theives. In addition to these card copiers, there are card skimming machines that you may not know about as well. These are little machines that are either right above or below the actual credit card scanner that scan your card as well, therefore picking up your number.  A lot of places, such as Redbox have added blockers to their machines so that their credit cards cannot be skimmed (a picture is shown below). 

Just this week detectives in Sydney are heading to a city in Australia to investigate links between suburbs credit card skimming and international fraud gangs.  Yesterday an announcement was made in which it was revealed that these credit card skimmers have already made more than $50 million.  

There are problems in the United States as well, credit card skimmers have been found on Redboxes (which is what caused them to install the anti-skimming devices) and in other places, allowing these crooks to get your credit card number and use it on whatever they want.  The skimmers found in Australia however are believed to be linked to teams of criminals in India.  Hundreds of thousands were stolen from residents via there credit and bank cards in November. 

Fraud boss Detective Superintendent Col Dyson says that criminal gangs were committing armed robberies to obtains these machines used in the nationwide scam.  He also says that it is an international group that is believed to be very large.  Members of this group arrive in cities, travel around between them and then leave the country. It is believed that there are at least 50 people involved, and each has a specific function.  Six people have been arrested so far. Warnings have been issued around the country so that people will know to watch out. Criminal activity has continued to rise so the government felt that it was time to make the general public aware. 

The machines that have been compromised in Australia are called EFTPOS terminals and have been removed from the stores.

So what exactly do these machines do? The same thing that the ones in the United States do.  They are modified and can copy information stored on the magnetic strip of a debit or credit card and can be used to make further withdrawals from the account. The most common withdrawal amount coming out of the Australian frauds are $1,000 and are made overseas. Detectives are urging people to change their PINs often and regularly and to check store receipts, bank statements and be aware of how much money is held in an account.  They also say that if you can avoid it, don't write down your PIN number. 

Have you been the victim of credit card or debit card fraud? Maybe you should consider moving your transactions to cash.  At Check City there are many ways you can make cash and check transactions.  We have Payday Loans (using a check), Check Cashing (using a check), Money Transfers (Cash), Free Money Orders (Cash), and our Gold Buying Program can help you get cash when you are running a little low. 

Probably the most common questions we hear frequently refer to payday loans. So I have taken the time to list some of the most frequently asked questions about payday loans and their answers.  These questions and others can be found on our website under the FAQs page.  Check City has gone to great lengths to make the process of getting a Payday Loan simple, clear and concise.  A Payday Loan is no different than any other form of credit, which can have long term effects if not fully understood.  For this reason every Check City Representative explains the loan contact in detail, pointing out the terms and conditions of the loan.  A Payday Loan can be a great resource and can save you a lot of money in the long run if managed correctlyl.  However, don't consider them a long term investment, because they are meant to be a short term loan only and are expected to be paid off within a few weeks when your next paycheck is recevied.

What is a CheckCity.com loan?
A fast, convenient loan, which is usually due on your next payday.

Is CheckCity.com a direct Payday Lender?  
Yes! CheckCity.com is licensed in each state where it operates and is the direct lender of your loan (with the exception of Texas where as a Credit Service Organization, we service your loan through an affiliated short-term loan provider). That means if we approve your loan that it will be issued and serviced by us. We provide our customers the peace of mind that we are there to help from the completion of loan application to the completion of the cash advance loan.

How do I get started?
 Just complete the one-time New Customer Loan Application.  Your request will then be processed as quickly as possible and if your loan is approved the funds will be deposited directly into your account the next business day. It's that easy!

Can I apply over the phone?
 Yes, you can. To do so, just call our toll free number: (866)294-4672 and we will take your application information over the phone. We will then verify your information and fax a contract to you, which will need to be signed and faxed back. Your request will then be processed as quickly as possible and the money will be deposited directly into your account as soon as the next business day.

How do I receive the loan proceeds?
 The process is automatic and convenient. Once your loan is approved, the funds are electronically deposited into your account via an ACH transaction.

How do I pay the loan back?
Just as with receiving the loan proceeds, the process is automatic and convenient. An electronic withdrawal will be made from your account on the loan's due date via an ACH transaction. If you choose to, you may instead pay with a debit or credit card by calling the customer service line by the business day before the loan is due. 

What is an ACH Transaction?   
ACH Transaction stands for Automatic Clearing House Transaction. It is a method of electronically depositing or withdrawing funds from an account. If your paycheck is directly deposited into your account, it is done by ACH.

How much can I borrow?
Loan limits are determined on an individual basis. Your credit limit will depend on a number of factors, some of which include your monthly income, the dollar amount you may have already borrowed from other payday loan companies (if any), and other credit worthiness factors. Many states have limits on the amount which can be borrowed. For more information please check the Annual Percentage Rate Disclosure for your state. 

How long does it take to approve my loan and receive the funds?
In most cases your loan will process in less than 24 hours. 
If the loan request is submitted before 7:00:00 PM Mountain Time on weekdays, or 6:00 PM on Saturdays, then the approval process is usually completed on the same day you apply.
If you apply after 7:00:00 PM Mountain Time on weekdays or after 6:00 PM on Saturdays, or anytime on Sundays or holidays, your loan application will be processed on the next business day and the funds will be deposited into your account the business day after that.

How much will a loan cost?
The cost depends on the state in which you reside. For example, in Utah a $100.00 loan due back in two weeks would cost you $17.00, which equates to an annual percentage rate of 443.21%. This means that you would receive $100.00 either cash in store or deposited into your account, on your payday, $117 would be withdrawn from your bank account. Please see the Annual Percentage Rate Disclosure for your state for complete details.

Can I extend or renew the loan if I am not ready to pay it back on the due date? 
If you do not want to repay your loan on the due date, you may extend or renew your loan until your next payday, if you live in a state which allows payday loan extensions. Extension requests must be received by 7:00:00 PM Mountain Time the business day before a loan is due.

The cost to extend or renew a loan is an additional fee, charged at the same rate as the original loan fee.

For full details about extensions, including your state's laws, please check the Annual Percentage Rate Disclosure for your state. 

Can I pre-pay the balance on a loan?
You may pay towards the balance of a loan, in whole or in part, at any time prior to the due date. Partial payments when requesting an extension are encouraged. Pre-payment is available through the "Options" for the Current Loans on the Members Information page. There is no penalty for pre-paying on a balance and, depending on your state, doing so may result in a reduction of fees charged. Please see your pre-disbursement disclosure for additional details regarding the early pay off of a cash advance loan in your state.

Is it easy to get additional loans?
After successfully completing your first payday advance loan, additional loans are easy to request. Simply login to the Members Section and request a new payday loan. We remind consumers that payday advances should be used for short-term financial needs only and not as a long-term financial solution. Consumers who are experiencing credit difficulties should seek credit counseling. In addition, some states require a cooling-off period between payday loans or otherwise restrict the frequent supply of payday loans to a consumer. For additional information regarding your state’s governance on cash advance loans please contact a Check City customer service representative. 

What happens if I cannot pay my loan on the due date?
If you are not able to pay your loan on the due date, please contact us immediately to see what options are available. If your loan defaults, we have an in-house Account Improvement Department that will help you get your account back in good standing, and we pride ourselves on our customer service. Once a loan has been paid back, you are always welcome to borrow again from us. This same policy applies to our brick and mortar stores.

Let's review. Check City payday loans are a one time loan that is due on your next paycheck for the amount we give you plus a small service charge. If you can't pay back the loan on the due date, you may have a renewal option, depending on your state and the situation.  Payday loans can be done by phone, online or in one of our 65 conventient locations and are not available in all states. Please visit our website for the complete list of Payday Loan Approved States.  Remember also, these loans are for short term financial fixes only and if you are experiencing financial hardship, please seek credit counseling. 

President Barack Obama gave the long awaited State of the Union speech yesterday night. In it Obama addressed many of the major concerns for America right now, including the economy, the health-reform, policies concerning Afghanistan, and the national deficit. However, Obama emphasized his discussion on the state of the economy and the national deficit.

After comparing the recession to America’s other struggles such as the civil war, Obama said, “I take my share of the blame for not explaining it more clearly to the American people,” Obama said. “... This problem is not going away.”

In direct contrast to Obama’s previous policy to extend help to those facing financial crisis by expanding the government, Obama declared that there needs to be a three year spending freeze beginning in 2011.
This freeze will affect all government spending programs except for national security and insurance programs such as Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security. The list of affected groups will extend to include education, agriculture, and law enforcement.

Obama also declared that America was not only fighting a financial deficit, but a “deficit of trust” in Washington. He believes that this “deficit of trust” the American people feel towards Washington is hindering the government’s capabilities to fix the economic problems.

President Obama believes that the top priority of America right now should be to fix the economy. If the economy is fixed then the American people may develop more trust in the federal government.
Obama's first suggested step in effectively helping people who are struggling through the recession is to create more jobs. He said, “Jobs must be our number one focus in 2010, and that is why I am calling for a new jobs bill tonight… People are out of work … They need our help. And I want a jobs bill on my desk without delay.”

He also discussed the fact that Americans are disappointed with the bailout of the banking system. As a result, Obama asked the bailout money that has been paid back, amounting to $30 billion, be used to stabilize community banks. In return, he hopes that the community banks will support small businesses. Indirectly, he hopes that this will create more jobs.

Obama hopes to stick to the previously discussed economic stimulus plan which has been successful in preventing the raising of taxes. However, he recognizes that improvement in the economy has been slow.
He complimented the American people by saying that, “We do not give up. We do not quit. We do not allow fear or division to break our spirit” he said. Obama continued by stating that for the recession to truly heal, the people will have to make it happen.

As part of the American people we have been born into the American dream. With that belief we have the capabilities to change our lives for the better. Take control of your finances today by visiting Check City’s website. We host gold buying services and offer cash advances that can give you the extra money you need to change your life.

 To read more about Obama's State of the Union speech visit: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35096238/ns/politics-white_house//