Credit union, bank and community options.
Help to Look for Before You Borrow: Bills, Food, Rent and Medical Costs
Free help that can shrink a cash shortfall: 211, utility programs and LIHEAP, food aid, hospital financial assistance and payment plans.
Earned Wage Access and Cash Advance Apps: What They Cost
How employer pay-access programs and cash advance apps work, how fees and tips translate into APRs, what the CFPB said in 2025 and how to use them safely.
Credit Union Payday Alternative Loans (PALs): A Cheaper Short-Term Loan
How federal credit union payday alternative loans work: PAL I and PAL II limits, the 28% APR cap, the $20 fee limit and how to join a credit union.
Small Loans From Your Bank, Overdrafts and Cash Advances Compared
Bank small-dollar loans, overdrafts, cash advances, PALs and payday loans compared: what each typically costs to borrow a few hundred dollars.