What a $500 Payday Loan Actually Costs, State by State
See what a $500 payday loan really costs in 6 states: fee, APR, and rollover math compared side by side, plus a $200 loan breakdown.
By Derrick Washington
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Reporting, analysis, and plain-language explainers on payday loans, state rules, credit scores, and the lower-cost alternatives most borrowers never hear about.
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South Carolina Payday Loan Laws: Limits, Fees, and Your Rights
South Carolina caps payday loans at $550 with a 15% fee and one loan at a time. See the SC Code rules and your payment plan rights.
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Unsecured Installment Loan vs. Payday Loan: The Real Cost
See the real APR, fees, and credit impact of an unsecured installment loan vs. a payday loan for fair or poor credit, with the math shown.
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Income-Based Payday Loans: What the Term Really Means
Some states cap payday loans at 25-35% of gross monthly income by law. Here's what "income-based" marketing means and what you can legally borrow.
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California Check Cashing Stores Payday Loan Review
An independent review of California Check Cashing Stores' $255 payday loan: real fees, DFPI license status, and its 2019 consent order.
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