1F Cash Advance Expert Guides and Articles
We're excited to announce that the 1F Cash Advance Team of financial writers has been working hard to bring you the best lending information possible.
Our 10-year expertise in the lending industry is a valuable asset in helping you understand how different loans work and what options are available to you.
Our goal is to arm you with the knowledge and confidence needed to make informed decisions about your finances.
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Common Types of Unexpected Expenses and How to Deal with Them
Unexpected expenses are sudden costs that you cannot plan for. That means they can hit your budget if you do not prepare for them in advance. This article provides unexpected expense examples with approximate costs and helps you get ready for them.
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Best Options for Short-Term Loans in 2026
Short-term loans can cover an emergency expense fast, but in 2026 the best choice depends on your state rules, the total cost, and how quickly you can repay. This guide explains the main short-term options, shows key red flags to avoid, and tells how 1F Cash Advance can help you make the safest choice.
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Emergency Cash for Single Mothers
Single moms facing financial emergencies can benefit from grants and loans. Get help with housing, pay bills, and receive medical aid and child care services.
Emergency Home Repair Loans
If you need help with emergency home repairs, home repair loans can provide you with money without having to wait for months until you save. There are multiple types of home repair loans available, each with its own requirements. Which one to choose depends on how much money you need, whether or how much equity you have in your house, your income, credit, and other factors. This article will help you understand your options.
The legal ceiling: maximum payday loan amount allowed by state
Payday loan maximums range from $300 to $1,000 by state, with $500 the most common cap and some states scaling the limit to income. This research maps the legal ceiling by state and explains why total cost matters more than the cap.
Two states, two systems: payday lending where America is richest and where it is poorest
Massachusetts and Mississippi sit at opposite ends of America's income table — and their payday lending rules run in exactly opposite directions. The richest state caps small-loan APR at 23%, effectively banning the payday product; the poorest state allows roughly 521% and leads the country in unbanked households. This research sets the two side by side across income, banking access, loan cost, and the 2025–2026 rule changes that widened the gap.
Two weeks or six months: payday loan term length by state
The classic payday loan is built around a single paycheck, so most states cap the term between two weeks and a month. But a few states broke that mold on purpose: Colorado requires a six-month minimum and Virginia allows up to 24 months, turning the two-week product into an installment loan. This research maps payday loan term lengths by state — from the 7-day floor to the 24-month ceiling — and shows why term length is the clearest marker of whether a state kept the payday model or replaced it.
How many Americans use payday loans each year
The most-cited answer is about 12 million Americans a year — roughly 1 in 20 adults — but that single number hides three different questions. Borrowers, households, and loans are counted separately, and because the typical borrower takes about eight loans a year, loan counts run far higher than the number of people. This research separates people from loans, tracks how usage has fallen as states adopt rate caps, and looks at who actually turns to payday credit.
How much is a payday loan? The average amount Americans borrow
The average payday loan is typically around $350–$375, but the initial loan amount tells only part of the story. Learn how much borrowers take out, what they pay in fees, how often they reborrow, and why a small payday loan can become a much larger annual expense.
Most vs fewest: where payday lenders cluster, and where they vanish
Payday lenders cluster in high-rate states and vanish where rates are capped at 36%. This research maps where lenders concentrate per capita, where they disappear entirely, and why state policy — not population — drives the pattern.
The 600% gap: highest and lowest payday loan APR by US state
There's no single price for a payday loan in the U.S. The APR on the same loan runs from about 114% in the most restrictive states to roughly 652% where there's no cap — and zero where a 36% ceiling closes it down. This research breaks down the highest and lowest payday loan APRs by state and what a $300 loan really costs.
22 Hobbies That Make Money
There are multiple ways to make money while doing the things you actually enjoy. Some hobbies require certain professional skills to monetize them, while others may help you generate income without any. This guide explores hobbies with high earning potential for both beginners and people who are already elbow-deep in something.
29 Ways to Make Extra Money on the Side
If it feels like your full-time job does not bring you enough money to cover all your needs or reach big financial goals, earning money on the side can be a good way to fill in the gap. This article explores non-trivial yet reasonably paid side gigs that can help you earn extra money while working full time.