Speedy Cash vs Advance America vs CashNetUSA: Fees
Speedy Cash vs Advance America vs CashNetUSA compared on fees, payment plans, ACH risk, and funding speed across five states. The fee math the marketing skips.
By Lena Whitfield
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Borrow Smarter - 8
Reporting, analysis, and plain-language explainers on payday loans, state rules, credit scores, and the lower-cost alternatives most borrowers never hear about.
From the Borrow Smarter Archive
EarnIn vs Dave vs MoneyLion: Which EWA App Costs Less
EarnIn vs Dave vs MoneyLion compared on real fees, APR equivalents, and the December 2025 CFPB reversal. Which earned wage access app actually costs less.
By Lena Whitfield
Why Did My Credit Score Drop: Six Suspects to Check First
Why did my credit score drop? Six likely suspects ranked by probability, with a 5-minute self-check for each and the fastest fix in the first 7 days.
By Aaron Kim
Payday Loan APR Explained: Why "$15 per $100" Is a 391% Loan
Payday loan APR explained in plain math: a $15 per $100 fee is a 391% APR. See the formula, why federal law shows it, and what it means if you roll over.
By Derrick Washington
California Payday Loan Rate Cap: What AB 539 Did and Didn't Touch
California's payday loan rate cap from AB 539 caps installment loans at 36%, but the 459% CDDTL payday product is untouched. The two regimes, six years on.
By Carmen Ortiz
How to Break the Payday Loan Rollover Cycle: A Step-by-Step Exit Plan
How to break the payday loan rollover cycle in 90 days: EPP scripts, ACH revocation, PAL refinance, and when to call a lawyer. A step-by-step exit plan.
By Derrick Washington