How to get out of the $500 TRAP at those payday loan centers

[Spitfire of ATJ]

People tend to borrow the limit of $500 and have to re-borrow every month because they cant afford a $500 hit on their salary.

Here's how I tell people to get out of the $500 a month borrowing cycle. Ask yourself what you CAN afford (I'll use $100 less a month as an example). The next time you go in only borrow $400 instead of $500. The time after that borrow $300, then $200 and then $100. Then don't go back. You are free and clear.

[A HERETIC I AM]

1. They should be outlawed.

They are the WORST kind of predatory lending with interest rates a loan shark would envy.

Best advice? Don't use one, no matter what. Borrow from friends or family before you even consider walking into one of those places.

[MemphisMoocows]

2. Yup

No matter what your income, live below your means and don't buy crap you can't afford. And avoid borrowing money. If you have to borrow to buy something, you can't afford it.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

3. Few people can buy a house with cash.

[Canesfan]

4. Some banks are gettign smart

The silver lining here is some banks are getting smart enough to cash in on this market by offering checking overdraft products. They will allow for example an over draft of up to 800.00 and allow the customer to pay the money back over several pay checks. In essence the consumer is given a lien of credit of 800.00 without having to undergo a credit check. While expensive, it's a lot better than the usurious payday loans.