If you are mired in debt due to a job loss, or are just having trouble budgeting your money, there is help on the horizon. For a fee, you can borrow money through direct lending agencies using what is called a payday loan or cash advance. There is no bank involved, no credit check, no long application process, and you can take out as little as $100.

How does this process work? Let’s say you’ve been out of work for six months, your unemployment checks are finished, and utility companies are calling you daily. Your credit is shot, due to you having no income and already being late with credit card payments. Where can you turn? Certainly not to the banks, because they’ll reject you based on your bad credit history. Unless you have a rich (and generous) uncle willing to bail you out, this is where the payday loan industry steps in and loans money to you for a fixed period of time.

When considering a payday loan, keep in mind that the percentage charge (25% or more) on such a loan can be much higher than that of a bank. So, a payday loan should be used strictly in the event of a financial catastrophe, when you really, really, need some emergency cash. Ordinarily, you should be saving money for a rainy day. However, in case that rainy day turns into a hurricane, it’s comforting to know that independent payday loan companies are out there, waiting to help you.

In my searches online, I did come across one such company, called National Payday. This company not only provides a clear description of its services and fees but also has an extensive blog of personal finance articles. You may be interested in perusing some of these articles; I found interesting titles like “How to Survive a Depression,” “Having the Money Talk with Your Spouse,” and “Good Time for an MBA? Join the Queue.” Even if you’re not in the market for a payday loan, these articles provide some great tips on budgeting your money, saving money, and even making money.