If you need fastcash now then it’s good to know that you have several options available to you. Assuming you have cash in your checking or savings account then your first option is your debit card. Just hit up any ATM and you’ll have cash in seconds. There’s no quicker way.

Another way to get fastcash is by overpaying for gas or groceries and telling the attendant you need cash back. You’ll be able to get at least a small amount of cash this way. A third quick way to get cash is through your credit card. Of course you’ll pay high interest and associated charges when you use your credit card at an ATM, but it is a way to get fastcash.

I’m sure that you’ve gotten the mailings from credit card companies trying to lure you into getting one of their cards by offering you fast cash advances. They’ll issue you a credit card with a PIN that works just like a debit card at any ATM. They’ll also send you cash advance checks that you can use to get immediate cash by writing the check to yourself. The credit card companies are pretty smart doing this because they know many Americans are living paycheck to paycheck and most of them could use some cash right away. The trap here is the interest rates charged for these fastcash withdrawals are extremely high, usually over 20%. So, in the long run your fast cash costs you much more than you can imagine.

So, next time you need fastcash think twice about what method you are going to use to get that cash. Take the time to read the terms of that credit card offer and understand just how much you will be paying them over time. I know it can be difficult to think of the consequences when you need cash right away, but it really is in your best interests to take the time to understand your situation completely before jumping into a fastcash loan or cash advance. If possible see if you can get a friend or family member to loan you the money you need now, it’s much cheaper than going through a payday lender or your credit card company. Trust me, the fastcash lenders know how emotionally charged this situation is and they will use your emotions to get you to agree to a loan that you would never had taken if you were thinking clearly.