Bad Credit Loans in Edmonton - What to Do When You Need Money

	People with bad credit in Edmonton can actually get help to avoid the fees, high interest, and payments of expensive personal loans.
		The Real Important Question Why are you looking for a bad credit personal loan? Depending on your reasons, you might actually have other options available to you that can resolve your debt problems, repair your credit, and get your finances back on track. However, the first thing you need to ask yourself is, "Why do I need this loan?" Click on your answer below to see if there are better options for you: This is for an emergency. Your vehicle needs to be repaired, you have an unexpected dentist bill, your pet needs to see the vet, you have to travel to see a sick relative, or something else along these lines. You are looking to rebuild your credit or increase your credit score. You're wanting just one loan with one monthly payment. You’re hoping to find a more manageable payment by paying off your debt over a longer period of time, or your current interest rates are just too high.

When you have bad credit, loans are hard to get whether you live in Edmonton or anywhere else in Canada. So what can you do if you need money? Maybe your rent or mortgage payment is way overdue, your credit cards are maxed and you owe money on all of your household bills. Maybe you are considering or have tried payday loans or online loans, but you're honestly wondering if that's really going to help you.

The truth probably is that you’re just down on your luck and you really don’t know of any better way to handle things right now than to try and get a loan for bad credit. So below we explain some things you can do to try and get a loan in Edmonton, Alberta when you’ve got a bad credit rating. However, if you’d rather find another way to deal with your debts (one that's typically far more effective), jump down to the last part of this article.

Why Personal Bad Credit Loans Have High Interest Rates & Fees

First, recognize that if you do manage to get a personal loan somewhere, it will be really expensive. Because a lot of people with bad credit often do not repay their debts, lenders see anyone with poor credit as a huge risk. So they charge fees upfront along with high interest rates so that when someone does default, they’ve already paid as much as the lender can get from them. Whether you like it or not, this is the way it’s usually done.

Will a Personal Loan Fix My Poor Credit Rating?

You also need to be aware that obtaining a bad credit personal loan - be it secured or unsecured - won't repair your payment history. Your credit rating didn't fall overnight. It took time, and it will take even more time for it to go back up again. A new loan won't magically fix the problem; however, managing your money better - over time - will improve your poor credit rating. That's one of the good things about Canada's credit rating system - it recognizes that bad things happen to good people. So it's possible to repair your credit without using personal loans with high bad credit interest rates and fees.

Related: Click here to Learn How to Fix Your Credit Rating and Improve Poor Credit.

How to Get a Loan with Bad Credit - Income Verification, List of Assets, Monthly Expenses, Debts & Credit Report Questions

When you apply for a bad credit loan, it's best to be prepared with your financial information. A lender will want to know your income and what you earn each month from all sources. They'll want to know if you have any assets you could offer (pledge) as security (collateral). They may want to know what your monthly expenses are too. You should also be prepared to answer any questions they might have about your debts, poor credit, and payment history.

To prove your income: gather your pay stubs, alimony or child support records, government assistance payment details, bank account statements and/or tax returns with assessment notices.

If you have assets: create a list or make a mental note of the items you own and the value of each one. It’s really the big things that matter here, like cars, trucks, RVs, boats, motorcycles, ATVs, trailers, and other vehicles or items that can be easily appraised. Coin or stamp collections, jewellery, antiques and other heirlooms can only be used as collateral for a loan if they have been authenticated and valued with a verifiable appraisal certificate. Musical instruments, tools, electronics and other high priced household goods can be consigned at pawn shops or sold but usually cannot be used to get a loan. However, there are some high interest lenders who will ask you to pledge all your household goods or appliances as token security for a loan.

Outlining your monthly expenses and debts: this is the hardest part for most people. When you start listing them all out, you see how much you spend and how much you owe. Start by jotting down your housing costs and related utility bills. Then groceries, food, medication and other essentials. Include transportation and work-related costs as well. If you have a lot of different expenses and debts and don’t quite know how to organize them, this Excel budget calculator might help. You can also learn much more about how to create a budget or spending plan on our budgeting page.

To answer questions about your repayment history: take a look at your own credit report. You can get it for free from both Equifax and TransUnion Canada if you request it by phone. Here we tell you how to get them, help you understand what’s on your report, and explain the difference between the report and your credit score.

Better Ways to Solve Debt and Money Problems than Getting Bad Credit Loans

Shopping around for bad credit loans in Edmonton to get the money you need takes time and a lot of patience. And there’s no guarantee that when you find a lender, that they’ll give you the loan with terms and conditions you can afford. You probably already kind of know this. So if you want a better solution to your debt and money problems, here's the best thing you can do: contact a local non-profit credit counselling agency and make an appointment to speak with one of their Credit Counsellors. Appointments are usually free, completely confidential, and can be done in person or over the phone. They are experts in everything related to bad credit loans, getting out of debt, and unconventional ways of consolidating and getting rid of debt. They'll help you explore all your options - including little known debt relief options that most people have never heard of. Having this conversation will likely be the best thing you've done in years and can make all the difference in getting your finances back on track as soon as possible.