Tag Archives: short-term cash

Fast Cash

Cash is the most liquid asset for a business firm. While the proportion of corporate assets held in the form of cash is very small, often between 1 per cent and 3 per cent, its efficient management is crucial to the solvency of the business because in a very important sense cash is the focal point of fund flows in a business. In view of its importance, it is generally referred to as the “life blood of a business enterprise”.

Why does a firm need cash? There are two primary reasons for a firm to hold cash: to meet the needs of day-to-day transactions and to protect the firm against uncertainties characterizing its cash flows.

Despite its benefits, cash is an idle resource. The trade-off for cash holding is that you get liquidity but sacrifice profits by foregoing alternative investment options. That is why the financial manager should carefully control cash.

Short-term cash budgeting is the principal means by which cash is managed. Cash budgets, routinely prepared by business firms, are helpful in estimating cash requirement, planning short term financing, scheduling payments in connection with capital expenditure projects, planning purchases of materials, developing credit policies and checking the accuracy of long- term forecasts.

Firms use multiple short-term forecasts, of varying length and detail, suited to meet different needs. The commonly used designs for short-term cash forecasts are one year divided into quarters, or months and one month divided into weeks. A firm, hard pressed with liquidity crunch, may even prepare a weekly cash forecast divided into days. The point to be emphasized here is that these multiple formats serve different purposes and should not be regarded as mutually exclusive. The principal method of short- term cash forecasting is the receipts and payments method.

Is a Payday Loan Right for Me?

With all of the negative information being circulated about payday loans, it may be difficult to distinguish between the facts and the rumors. In fact, all of the negative attention given to payday loans has prevented many consumers from obtaining quick cash, which can create a negative impact on their lives.

What to Consider in Your Circumstances

The first thing you’ll want to determine when seeking a short-term payday loan is whether you can realistically afford to pay back the loan out of your next paycheck. The second thing you’ll want to consider is your use for the money. Is it really something that needs to be tended to now, or could it wait until your paycheck arrives?

Once you have determined that you need the services of a payday lender, you’ll want to do your homework and educate yourself on the interest rates and the fees associated with the loan.

The bottom line is that a payday loan can be very useful, and if used responsibly, can prevent short-term cash flow problems for hardworking consumers.

Common Reasons for Payday Loans

1. When you lack the credit to receive a traditional loan through a bank – For many with poor or no credit, obtaining short-term cash through their bank is simply impossible. In addition, many consumers that do have the credit opt for payday loans because they can avoid the lengthy process of applying for a traditional loan through their local bank. Payday lenders, in fact, often do not run credit checks, and they certainly don’t make you justify what you plan on doing with the money. The freedom of obtaining cash for your short-term cash flow problems can be easily accomplished with a payday loan.

2. When you need the money quickly – Obtaining money through your bank is not a short process, by any means. The loan process can take anywhere from several days to several weeks, and the reality is that most consumers seeking payday loans are doing so because the money is needed immediately. Imagine waiting for a bank loan to get your car fixed, to repair your leaking roof, or to replace your broken computer. If waiting on money isn’t an option, then a payday loan may be right for you.

3. When you don’t have access to credit – For many consumers, a credit card is often the tool used to get them out of short-term cash flow problems. Unfortunately, however, not all of us have credit cards due to poor or no credit. Payday loans are often used as a smart alternative to credit cards, and they are available for many individuals, regardless of their credit history.

4. When you don’t want the hassle of long-term debt – Many consumers seek payday loans, even if their credit is strong and even when they have access to credit cards and other types of loans. Why? For many, they simply don’t want to incur any additional debt that must be repaid every month. A payday loan, unlike a traditional loan or credit card balance, is simply paid back when the consumer receives his or her next paycheck.

Depending upon your individual circumstances, a payday loan certainly be the right choice to tide your finances over until your paycheck arrives.