It's Monday morning. You are already late for work and still have to drop the kids off at school and run to the bank. You get everyone loaded in the car and begin to turn the key. Nothing happens. You try it again and start to panic. As you get out of the car and lift the hood, you start to think about the variety of things that could be wrong and how much money it's going to take to fix the problem. You narrow it down to the battery, feeling a little embarrassed that you hadn't thought about it before; you have had the same battery for 4 years now. You start to get knots in your stomach when you realize that payday isn't for another few days and you don't have a credit card or any extra funds available to be spending on a car battery. If only you could borrow some money until payday.

You have been dealing with a nagging tooth pain all week and you feel like you will go crazy if you have one more sleepless night. Your employer does not offer dental assistance and you haven't had the time to search for an insurance company on your own. You found a dental clinic that is open and accepts patients without insurance but you have to pay for the services upfront. Unfortunately you don't get paid for another week and don't have any emergency cash sitting aside. You know you can't wait it out for another week. You need money and fast.

Unexpected bills and emergencies happen to everyone, and if payday isn't soon, it can be stressful and unnerving. People need advances for a variety of reasons from paying rent/other utilities or car repair, to a medical emergency that arises. Payday loan companies started as land-based companies but have grown to the internet, offering flexibility for the consumer as well as security and confidentiality.

A payday loan is defined as a short term and unsecured loan. Unsecured loans are based solely on the promise to repay the money owed, while a secured loan is a loan based on the availability to provide a form of collateral. Our first reaction is to use a credit card, apply for a loan at a bank or financial institution, or maybe even ask a friend or family member for help. If you have no credit or bad credit, your options are even more limited. While banks and credit agencies are looking at your past, you're trying to take care of responsibilities right now. Even more, what about the embarrassment of having to go talk to someone and explain your situation?

With the development of online loan companies, the process can be private, fast and stress free. Online cash advances are popular now, more than ever. Consumers are paying more attention to their credit ratings, causing them to look at advances from a payday loan company instead of trying to obtain a loan from the bank. Loan companies can also offer money in a faster period of time, unlike banks that have to do a credit check and pages of paperwork before you can even find out if you qualify to receive one.

To apply for a loan, you need to meet the following criteria:

* At least 18 years of age.

* Live and work in the US.

* Receive your pay via direct deposit.

* Make the minimum amount of money each paycheck after taxes and other deductions.

And here is how the loan application process works:

* Simply fill out a short application online. You will be asked for things such as your name, address and occupation.

* Within seconds, an approval message will appear, advising that you have been pre-approved. If you don't receive a message, you will receive correspondence via the email address you provided in the application.

* You'll send in a copy of the most recent pay stub you have received.

* Contact a customer care representative via phone or online chat to finish the application process.

* Once verified, the funds will be sent to your account, sometimes in just one day (usually 24 to 48 hours).

The fees for payday loans are very competitive to those that banks and other financial institutions offer. Returning customers also have the ability to borrow more if needed. Loans can be out for a maximum amount of thirty days and the due date is set with your pay date in mind. To repay the loan, there are a variety of options including a personal check or having the funds debited directly from your account. Any questions that arise can always be answered by the customer care representatives by calling or going online.

There are options these days when it comes to needing emergency cash instantly. Consumers who do their research can find the best possible match to assist them in their situation making it hassle and stress free. Payday loan companies understand that no one is perfect and believe in providing a confidential, quick way to get money when you need it, whether you have perfect credit, no credit or bad credit.