Need a PDL, please help...

after looking up zip19 I found you guys, thankfully.

I have no other option and I really need to get a PDL. I am in California, I have read the laws regarding my state and PDLs. Anyone know who I could go through? I have come up with Check n Go, they have the cfsa seal on their site.

IMG from checkngo.com


I don't think I have the credit to get a small (1000.00) personal loan from my bank, so I have to get 300.00 or so from a PDL.

What do you think?

Thanks for any advice.

Any advice? Dont do it. With these economic times, everyone is willing to work with you on debts.

My problem is not regular debt, it is utility bills and rent. My hours have been cut so bad that I won't even be able to pay my full rent with this coming check. So I'm going to go half rent, electricity, water and I'll need money for food. I have a wife and 4 kids that need to be taken care of. I'm desperate and feel like I may flounder around and really mess something up.

You take a PDL, you will be more desperate 2 weeks from now than you are now. Talk to your landlord and the utility companies.

I agree if you take a pdl now you'll be more desperate in 2 weeks. Especially if your hours are cut and you can't make your bills now how are you going to pay your bills PLUS a pdl in 2 weeks?

Call your utilities they will work with you.

California law isn't bad as PDL's go. Limitations on refinances, no criminal charges if the check bounces and a limitation on interest. I don't recommend them, but if you have to do it at least you were smart to look for a licensed store in your state. It's like living in the city I guess. The subway and bus are cheaper, but sometimes you have to take a taxi . . .

Please seek another alternative. That $300 will cost you more than you bargained for if you cannot pay it right back within 2 weeks

Well here's the skinny.

Monday(tomorrow) I will get a check for ~900.00 depending on taxes etc. I will put 600.00 to rent(half of 1200.00 and yes I'm looking for something cheaper), 130 will go to my electric bill and 100 will go to my sewer,water garbage...and barely cover them. That will put my gas past due as of Wednesday.

That leaves me with 70 dollars for food and gas for 2 weeks. In 2 weeks I will get paid more because I am putting some vacation PIL(pay in lieu) on top of my hourly pay, which will come to roughly 1300 dollars after taxes etc. I will then be able to pay the PDL, the rest of my rent and gas bill. Leaving me a few hundred. . .I hope.

How does that sound?

It doesn't matter what any of us say. No one on this board is going to say, "Great idea. Go get a pdl." But you are the only one who really knows:

1) Can you afford to pay it back in two weeks?
2) Have you really considered and explored all of your options, i.e., loans from friends and family, cash advance from a credit card, ramen noodles, etc.
3) Do you have the discipline to make a plan to pay it back and stick to it?

If you can honestly ask yourself those questions and are satisfied with the answer you get from your gut (which is ALWAYS the best barometer) then it really doesn't matter whether we approve or not.

Thank you for that. I have exhausted all my options, these days everyone I know is pretty hard off too. I'm pretty sure I can pay it off in 2 weeks, and we are all out of ramen now...

thanks for the responses you guys. I'll be sure and keep you all bookmarked for future reference and help if I get in trouble(which I feel I won't).

Please do not take out the loan. I also was sure I could pay mine back, but I wound up taking out another just to pay back the first one. All of the people on these boards have done pretty much the same. I (who was sure ) I could pay back wound up with 8 loans, no money and real problems. Please do not do it

Yeah, we are pretty much anti-PDL here. You'd be better off panhandling!

Payday Loans Equal Very Costly Cash: Consumers Urged to Consider the Alternatives.

I find it curious that you would ask on a Board dedicated to helping people get *out* of debt, how to get into even *more* debt.

The problem with a PDL is it's kind of like crack. You get one hit, and then you'll need another to pay that one, and another to pay that one, soon you'll be handing over your paychecks and still getting nowhere....

i agree with everyone here -you said your paycheck is $900 and it leaves you $70? if that is the case, than why even look for a payday loan? $70 is not too bad for food and gas. you will be amazed at how cheaply you can buy stuff while on a budget.

You could aslo try contacting local organizations that offer emergency help for utilities, food, ect.

70.00 for food and gas for 2 weeks for a family of 6 ?????

Good advice on this post - PDL's are a major trap. My dad fell into that trap - he got one and thought he could pay it back I'm sure. But he couldn't and had to get another to pay that one and so on. When he passed away, my mom's paycheck went in the bank like 3 days later - she went to make a withdrawl only to find it at a negative balance b/c he owed so much -- he had more that 15 loans. It was a mess to say the least.

I know $70 is not a lot for a family of 6, especially in CA. Keep in mind like others have suggessted, you can talk to your utilites see if they will let you delay all or part of your payments for the 2 weeks to free up some more money. Can you carpool to save on gas? Or reduce how much you go out at all - I know work is a must, but for other things try to avoid it, or use public transportation.

For food, like other said - noodles are cheap, look for things like that & coupons. Lots of food banks and churches or other ogranizations can help out with food for 2 weeks.

Do you have anything you can sell for some extra $ quickly - or is there neighboors who may need their lawn mowed where you can make some extra cash fast? Even donating plasma - I think that pays around $35 or so... their are other options out there.

I would strongly encourage you to look at everything else possible than to get a PDL -- if you can just hang on for 2 weeks like you said, you will be okay. If you get the PDL you are most likley getting into an ugly trap that is impossible to escape from and will just create worse money problems.

Best of luck with whatever you decide.