Payday loans are fast, easy, and don’t always require a credit check. They can be an enticing option for quick cash. But don’t be fooled. Payday loans come with excessive APR’s and additional fees that can hurt your credit score and leave you worse off financially. 

Payday loans are considered predatory lending practices, and although they are legal in California, there are some restrictions. But payday loans don’t need to be your first or only option for fast cash. There are other ways to access safe and affordable lending options. To get started, take a look at our guide about payday loans in Sacramento and better alternatives. 

How To Get a Cash Advance in Sacramento, CA

Payday loans feature unfavorable terms and conditions that can leave your finances worse off. It’s a good idea to explore safer short-term lending solutions before you settle for payday loans. Have you considered cash advances? Here’s our take on the best cash advances in Sacramento, CA. 

Instacash

Max Advance Amount: $250

APR: 0%

Credit Affects: None

Instacash is a 0% APR cash advance feature from MoneyLion. Payday loans frequently charge triple-digit APR’s and can keep you in debt. Instacash is an advance on your next paycheck at 0% APR, so you can rest assured you’ll only have to pay back what you owe and nothing more. Also unlike payday loans, Instacash won’t report you to credit bureaus – making it a safer alternative to payday loans when it comes to protecting your credit. 

Instacash deposits your cash into your RoarMoney account or another bank account within a couple of days at no additional charge. But you can also opt to pay a small fee for instant deposits. 

How to Qualify: 

• At least 18 years old
• History of income or frequent deposits 
• Checking account that’s been open for 60 days or more
• Checking account with a positive balance

In-Person Payday Loans Sacramento 

Max Loan Amount: $300

APR: As high as 460% plus additional fees

Credit Affects: Will harm your credit score if you miss a payment but won’t ever improve your credit score. 

Payday loans are predatory lending practices for a number of reasons. For starters, you’ll have to pay the entire amount you borrow plus interest by your set due date, which is typically near your next payday. When you take into account that APRs can be as high as 460%, it’s easy to see how difficult it can be to meet the loan’s obligations and still have funds left over. If you are unable to pay back everything you owe by the due date, you risk extra fees and even harming your credit score. 

High APRs and extra fees can make it easy to get trapped in a cycle of debt. This is why payday loans are not a recommended option for financing and it’s better to explore other ways to borrow funds – like friends, family, local charities, nonprofits, side jobs, or other possibilities. You can read more about payday loans in Sacramento here. 

How to Qualify: 

• At least 18 years old
• Be an American citizen or permanent resident
• History of income or frequent deposits 
• Name, date of birth, Social Security number, and a valid ID
• Checking account that’s active

Mobile Loan Options in Sacramento 

Mobile-friendly loans are another safe and affordable alternative to payday loans. Here’s our top choice for instant loans in Sacramento. 

Credit Builder Loan

Loan Amount: You could qualify for up to $1,000

Credit Affects: A majority of Credit Builder Loan members boost their credit score by 60 points in just 60 days! 

Credit Builder Loan is an instant loan from MoneyLion that offers up to $1,000. MoneyLion’s Credit Builder Loan is designed to build up your credit while you borrow money, unlike payday loans which can severely harm your credit score. MoneyLion offers free tools and resources to help you budget and pay off your loan. Plus, MoneyLion’s Credit Builder Plus loan always comes with a low-APR – so it’s easier to save money and stay on top of payments. 

As long as all your payments are on-time, your credit score will improve!

How to Qualify:

• 18 years or older
• American citizen or permanent resident
• Name, date of birth, Social Security number, and a valid ID
• Have an active bank account, debit card, or prepaid card to make payments
• NO credit checks or credit history required!

What’s Included?

• A loan for up to $1,000 paid over the course of 12 months
• Weekly credit score updates
• An additional Credit Reserve Account that acts as a savings account by earning interest 
• Your credit score could go up by 60 points in 60 days!
• Instacash benefits

Comparing Your Cash Advance Loan Options in Fresno

Looking to compare your options for cash advances in Fresno? We’ve done the research so take a look!

Find better alternatives to payday loans in Sacramento

Payday loans may seem like an easy solution but they come with additional charges that can ultimately hurt your finances and your credit score. 

It’s best to try and avoid payday loans altogether by turning to safer alternatives like MoneyLion when you need to borrow cash. 

MoneyLion offers low-cost lending options that are available online and can get you much-needed cash instantly. MoneyLion also offers a ton of other financial products and resources for a comprehensive approach to money management.

There’s RoarMoney for instance – which is an online checking account with special bonuses like early paycheck deposits and debit card cashback. Your RoarMoney account also comes with access to personalized spending reports you can use to track your spending and gain insight into your budget. 

MoneyLion is the financial membership for helping you take charge of your finances! Learn more about how to reach your financial goals with MoneyLion here.