When the weather is beautiful, we tend to see the many ways we could enjoy it. When funds are tight, it can be tempting to take a drive to the nearest payday loan center for some spending cash. Applying for a payday loan online is easy, and thousands of people are doing it.

Some have called the rate of growth in this business “explosive.” Unfortunately, many of the people getting these loans will find their enjoyment of summer diminishing instead of increasing. Here are just some of the reasons why:

Fees for a payday loan are charged per $100 borrowed. For a loan of $400 at a $15 per $100 fee, your repayment amount is $460—and that does not include interest!

The term for a payday loan can range from a few days to three weeks—usually due by your next payday. If you can’t repay the full amount of the loan, you will be charged the $15 per $100 fee again. Your $400 loan will now cost you $520 to pay back, and you’ve only borrowed the money for a month! Some loan companies will let you repeat this cycle up to six times. At that point, you will owe $760 for a $400 loan. If you get paid every two weeks, you will pay $360 to borrow the money for three months. Don’t be tricked into thinking this is less than the interest on a bank loan.

If you can’t pay the money you borrowed plus fees in the maximum allowed timeframe, you will default on your loan and things will get ugly. You will be charged overdraft or NSF fees by your bank when the payday loan company attempts to withdraw the money you owe from your account. The payday loan company will send your account to a collection agency, and the collection will report on your credit score. It’s possible you will eventually end up in court, making the loan even costlier. Many people like to apply for a payday loan online so they can keep their financial situation more private. But just how private is it?

Online applications require your name, address, and employment information; your Social Security number and driver’s license number; your checking account number and bank routing number; and the list goes on. Some will also require that you fax your latest pay stub, most recent bank statement, and a voided check. Are you sure you know these people well enough to trust them with all that information?

Instead of buying into the hype of a payday loan try some of these other ideas to get some cash for your summer fun.

Have a Yard Sale. Many items around our homes are rarely used, or are just sitting around collecting dust. Get these items out and see if they can make you some extra cash. You can advertise in the local penny saver, nickel ads or newspapers. Invite neighbors to join in and advertise it as a community event to draw a larger crowd.

Visit the local pawn shop. Old bicycles, musical instruments, jewelry and tools are all great items to pawn. Don’t expect to make back the item’s full value though. They are in the business to make money too.

Advertise your items on Craigslist, eBay or your local news agency. Many local papers and websites have a free or inexpensive item posting area. If all else fails, applying for a short term personal loan or home equity line of credit will cost you less interest than a Payday loan and provide a longer term to pay it back. The best option is to not spend more than you have.

Don’t Go into Debt

There are ways you can have a great summer without having to put your financial well-being at risk. Check your local town or city website or visitor’s bureau for ideas. Many of us don’t know about all there is to see and do right where we live.

If you have children, a summer vacation can be a real test. Many kids like to go camping and while there is plenty of expensive camping equipment on the market, it’s not necessary for a great camping adventure. Check your local thrift shop or want ads for great bargains on basic camping necessities. You can even camp right in your own backyard and use it to see how the kids would do on a bigger venture. You’ll can get an idea of what problems, such as noises, darkness, bugs, fear of the tent collapsing, and so on, you will need to help your child overcome. Have the kids help you pack, set up the tent, prepare the food, and make up games you can play outdoors. Let each one pick a favorite meal they want to have while you’re camping. If you’re not going to go far away, let the kids pack their packs partly full with toys or games they want to take with them. Maybe a favorite stuffed animal will go along. A little practice beforehand will make your camping trip an enjoyable adventure the whole family will remember for a long time.

You can collect leaves, rocks, or shells, watch birds or small animals and look for their tracks, draw pictures of the cloud formations, play “I Spy”, take photographs. The cost of a vacation is not necessarily in proportion to how much you enjoy it. You can have a quality vacation on a small budget. It just takes a little planning.

1. Decide where you would like to go.
There are many different and fun places to go on summer vacation. Some ideas include: amusement parks, national parks or other scenic locations, historical places, museums, zoos, beach, big city activities, family vacation homes.

2. Make a budget.
Creating a budget will help you find the hidden costs of a trip and give you an idea before hand just how much money you will need. Include as many details as you can think of. Some items to include are: gas/car maintenance/airfare, motels/lodging, entrance fees, meals and treats, souvenirs.

3. Look for Deals.
Look for coupons; lots of banks and credit unions offer coupons for their customers. Choose to drink water at restaurants. Eat your biggest meal at lunch when restaurant prices are cheaper. Buy small, inexpensive souvenirs. Have family members earn their own souvenir money before you go. Look for fun that is free: swim in the hotel pool, walk around a mall, picnic in a park, watch the sunset.

It doesn’t require extravagance to have a good time. Visit your local library for books on traveling on a shoestring. Challenge yourself to plan the best vacation you’ve ever had with the smallest amount of money you’ve ever spent, and you’ll be surprised how creative you can be.

Tips for Saving Money on Gas

Yes, there are ways to cut down on the amount of mon-ey you are spending at the pump. A few actions here and there may help make that summer trip possible.

• Keep your engine tuned according to your owner’s manual. This can improve your gas mileage by as much as 4%.
• Keep your tires properly inflated and aligned. Your gas mileage can increase up to 3%.
• Change your oil regularly to reduce wear and remove harmful substances out of the engine.
• Use the grade of motor oil recommended for your vehicle
• Replace the air filters regularly. This can improve your gas mileage up to 10%.
• Avoid sudden starts and stops by staying aware of traffic conditions. This can improve your gas mileage up to 5%.
• Drive within posted speed limits. Gas mileage per gallon decreases rapidly above 60 miles per hour.
• Avoid unnecessary idling. Turn the car off if you have to wait for awhile.
• Short trips can use twice as much fuel as one trip covering the same distance. Try to combine errands to reduce the number of trips you have to make.
• Overdrive gears and cruise control improve fuel economy when you’re on the highway.
• An extra 100 pounds in the trunk can reduce a your car’s fuel economy by up to 2%. Take heavy items out of the car when you don’t need them.
• Loaded roof racks create wind resistance and can decrease fuel economy by 5%. Try to carry most of your baggage inside the car.