Where to get a loan til tax refund?

[Mama Dragon]

I'm out of ideas on how I can afford to move (except this one, keep reading). No one is hiring me since the economy collapsed and I have virtually no income. My kids are homeschooled, so putting them in school/day care so I can work for a month (I can't stay here longer then that, really I can't, it's a long story) then move out of state is pretty much a non-option, I couldn't make enough anyway.

I'll have $2500 back in EITC (after I pay SE taxes) probably a week after I file in January, but I can't file until I think the second week of the month? Maybe later? But still, I have to move right around then...I need the money now $2500 is enough for the uhaul, gas, motel for one night, rent and deposit on a new place.

I am selling what I can...not that anyone is buying, but even if it all sold I'd have $200. No where near enough. I can't get a normal loan or credit card, I have no friends and I've already asked all my family.

Modest Needs won't help, tried.

What avenue am I missing?

[jeca]

A friend of mine takes her taxes to H&R Block every December and gets a loan from them and they take it out of her taxes. She has doe it the last two or three years that I've known her. Of course the down side being if you get less you will get a smaller return or possibly pay some of the loan back out of pocket.

[cristeen]

Be very wary of the short term loans from tax places. My DH worked at one of those and they were constantly on their employees to push those loans. Once he read the terms of the loan he refused to even mention it to customers unless they asked him about it. The fees and interest rates on the loans are ridiculous.

Aside from that though, the companies usually won't issue them to you until you're actually filing your taxes. They do your taxes, see how much you're getting back and *then* sign you up for a loan based on what your refund is. I don't know that any of the companies will give you a loan against your tax refund without doing your taxes first.

Are you a member of a credit union? Sometimes you can get small loans from those that you wouldn't be able to get from a bank. How about a church?

I double checked with DH and he says that you'd be better off going to a pawn shop than getting an income tax loan.

[angelcollector1]

Also, I want to add.. don't get caught up into the nightmare of payday loans. You may never get out from under them.
I wish I had some suggestions, but I'm sorry I don't. Best of luck in finding a solutions.

[kriket]

could you carry the debt on a credit card? I'm grasping at straws. I've put car repairs on my CC and paid them off with my taxes before.

Good luck mama, also maybe check out the tribal area to where you are moving, maybe someone can help out?

I just re-read your post where you can't get a CC. Crap.

[rightkindofme]

You will end up getting substantially less than $2500 if you try to get it in a loan. It's really not a good idea.

[SleeplessMommy]

Originally Posted by Synthea™

What avenue am I missing?

Off the top of my head, this:
Look for WAHMs that make a product. Set up their web sites for "zero down" in exchange for a cut of the sales (like 5-10% or so) and a 2 year contract. They can pay the hosting fees.

Apply to school in the area you want to move to. Use the student loans to cover moving expenses. Work as much work study as you can.

And the least thrilling - look for paid science experiments that need human subjects. These are available in major cities

[Mama Dragon]

Those are totally helpful, even the human experiement one I wanted to donate my eggs (it's $4-5000 here) but it takes 14 weeks I think and I don't have the time I wonder if it's too late to get my student loans through before the next term...I finally consolidated my loans ($700) and they aren't in default so YAY I could go to school...but I need the money asap. Hmmmm....things to check into monday....

[baileyandmikey]

I wouldn't recommend the loan on the tax refund, you get so much less... pay more for it... doesn't seem worth it.

[Seasons]

What about donating plasma? I know, I know, I believe in a free (unpaid) donor blood supply too, but doesn't donating pkasma pay like $50?

[Mama Dragon]

Looking into selling my stbx's hearings aids (he's here helping us pack to move and won't wear the damn things)...they're worth $4500, gonna try to get $3500 out of them, if we can find a buyer, problem solved....I doubt they'll sell, but it's worth a shot.

[dubfam]

Car Title Loan?
The interest would be less than a payday or tax loan. Still high, though.