Written by: Ashley Fricker
Edited by: Lillian Guevara-Castro
Christmas loans for bad credit can mean all the difference during the holiday season. The most wonderful time of the year can be quite stressful for those with a less-than-ideal credit score.
Not being able to see the joy spread on the faces of our loved ones, especially our children, as they open gifts can cast a shadow on what should be an otherwise carefree, festive time.
Let’s explore some great options for a holiday loan in the form of personal loans and credit or retail store cards. We take a detailed look at 12 options below.
Personal Loans For Bad Credit
First, let’s examine six great lender matching services. The companies below don’t lend you money directly but rather connect your loan request with their respective networks of lenders. And if you need a fast short-term loan during holiday shopping crunch time, fear not — these providers typically offer quick turnarounds.
What’s more, these services are free, and you’re under no obligation to apply for or accept any loan offer provided to you.
1. MoneyMutual
- Short-term loans up to $5,000
- Online marketplace of lenders
- Funds available in as few as 24 hours
- Simple online form takes less than 5 minutes
- Trusted by more than 2 million customers
- See official site, terms, and details.
| Loan Amount | Interest Rate | Loan Term | Loan Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to $5,000 | Varies | Varies | See representative example |
When it comes to quick and easy, MoneyMutual can’t be beaten. One of our top-ranked lending networks, MoneyMutual offers a simple form you can fill out in just minutes. And its online marketplace works fast to connect you with a personal loan provider within 24 hours.
2. CashUSA.com
- Loans from $500 to $10,000
- Receive a loan decision in minutes
- Get funds directly to your bank account
- Use the loan for any purpose
- See official site, terms, and details.
| Loan Amount | Interest Rate | Loan Term | Loan Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| $500 to $10,000 | 5.99% – 35.99% | 3 to 72 Months | See representative example |
CashUSA.com is another solid choice to connect you with a direct lender ready to help cover your holiday expenses. CashUSA can securely and safely find you the money you need to make your holiday merry and bright in just four simple steps. Though some lenders in its network will access your credit report, poor credit does not necessarily exclude you from being approved.
3. BillsHappen®
- Quick loans up to $5,000
- Submit one form, get multiple options
- All credit ratings welcome
- Requires bank account and SSN
- As seen on CNN, FoxNews, and others
- See official site, terms, and details.
| Loan Amount | Interest Rate | Loan Term | Loan Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| $500 to $5,000 | Varies | Varies | See representative example |
As long as you are employed and have a valid state driver’s license, BillsHappen® can put you in touch with a lender ready to help in no time. Whether you’re looking for an unsecured loan, a secured loan, or a payday loan, BillsHappen® is a fantastic choice for hassle-free assistance from reputable lenders.
- Loans from $250 to $5,000
- Cash deposited directly into your account
- Get money as soon as tomorrow
- Bad credit OK
- More than 750,000 customers since 1998
- See official site, terms, and details.
| Loan Amount | Interest Rate | Loan Term | Loan Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| $250 to $5,000 | Varies | Varies | See representative example |
CreditLoan.com offers beneficial tips and tricks on its site that help improve your chances of getting approved for a loan. This kind of consumer education is right in line with CreditLoan’s model of providing expert assistance to those searching for fast Christmas cash.
- Loans from $500 to $10,000
- Get connected with a lender
- Simple form & quick funding
- Get your money as soon as next the business day, if approved
- See official site, terms, and details.
| Loan Amount | Interest Rate | Loan Term | Loan Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| $500 to $10,000 | 5.99% – 35.99% | 3 to 60 Months | See representative example |
This company’s name says it all: BadCreditLoans.com is an online lender well-versed in helping people with bad credit get the money they need. The company offers plenty of consumer education resources in addition to its fast, secure, simple process of connecting borrowers with a bad credit loan.
- Loans from $1,000 to $35,000
- Large lender network
- Fast loan decision
- Use the loan for any purpose
- Funding as soon as one business day, if approved
- See official site, terms, and details.
| Loan Amount | Interest Rate | Loan Term | Loan Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| $500 to $35,000 | 5.99% – 35.99% | 3 to 72 Months | See representative example |
PersonalLoans.com keeps things simple and, if approved, can arrange to have your Christmas payday loan or standard personal loan deposited directly into your account. The company has a wide variety of lenders in its network, ensuring you get the best possible repayment term for your instant Christmas loans.
Credit Cards For Bad Credit
It is natural for people with poor credit to be leery of applying for a credit card. It is no secret that credit card debt can pile up fast if you are not careful.
But with just a little research and some basic, responsible debt management practices, some credit cards offer fast, easy relief from the burden of cash shortages. Let’s examine three great options below.
- Don’t let a low FICO score stop you from applying – we approve applications others may not.
- You don’t need good credit to apply.
- Just complete the short application and receive a response in 60 seconds.
- When you need assistance our award-winning US-based Customer Service agents are there to help.
- FICO scores are used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any PREMIER Bankcard® product.
| Application Length | Interest Rate | Reports Monthly | Reputation Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 minutes | See Provider Website | Yes | 9.0/10 |
The PREMIER Bankcard® Mastercard® Credit Card offers a great way to secure much-needed cash for holiday spending and begin to bolster your credit score. This card is perfect for borrowing relatively small amounts of cash to get you through the holiday, and you can choose the options for managing the card based on your budget. Make your monthly payment on time and watch your credit score climb.
- You don’t need good credit to apply.
- We help people with bad credit, every day.
- Just complete the short application and receive a response in 60 seconds.
- You can build or rebuild your credit: apply for a PREMIER Bankcard credit card, keep your balance low, and pay all your monthly bills on time.
- Don’t let a low FICO score stop you from applying – we approve applications others may not.
- FICO scores are used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any PREMIER Bankcard® product.
| Application Length | Interest Rate | Reports Monthly | Reputation Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 minutes | See Provider Website | Yes | 9.0/10 |
The PREMIER Bankcard® Grey Credit Card is a great offering for the holiday shopper with a bad credit score. Choose a unique card design from several available options to add a personal touch to your wallet. Because your payments will be reported to the major credit bureaus each month, this is a great option for those looking to build* credit when used responsibly.
*Build credit by keeping your balance low and paying all your bills on time every month.
- Up to $1,000 credit limit doubles up to $2,000! (Simply make your first 6 monthly minimum payments on time)
- All credit types welcome to apply!
- Monthly Credit Score – Sign up for electronic statements, and get your Vantage 3.0 Score Credit Score From Experian
- Initial Credit Limit of $300 – $1,000* (subject to available credit)
- Monthly reporting to the three major credit bureaus
- See if you’re Pre-Qualified without impacting your credit score
- Fast and easy application process; results in seconds
- Online account access 24/7
- Checking Account Required
| Application Length | Interest Rate | Reports Monthly | Reputation Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9 minutes | 29.99% APR (Variable) | Yes | 8.5/10 |
If you want to choose a card that offers a simple way to keep tabs on improving your bad credit, the Surge® Platinum Mastercard® may be a great option. This card offers free access to your Experian VantageScore, making it simple to track your credit-building progress. You can also get quick cash advances, and rest assured that you’re protected against fraudulent charges.
Store Cards For Bad Credit
Getting a store-branded credit card can be an excellent option for much-needed holiday spending money. But be advised — the three cards we’ve featured below are closed-loop cards, which means you can only use them at the issuing store.
But when you consider that you can easily knock out your entire shopping list at any one of the retailers we have outlined below, that should not be much of an issue.
10. Target RedCard™
The Target RedCard™ is a great option for borrowers during the holidays. Not only is there a Target in or close to practically every suburb in America, but this card also offers discounts on every purchase in-store and online.
You also get free two-day shipping for online orders, access to exclusive offers, and approval should be no problem, even with a spotty credit history.
11. Macy’s Store Card
Another excellent option for a fast Christmas loan is the Macy’s Store Card. This is another relatively easy card to get, regardless of your credit rating, and it comes with some pretty solid rewards. It also offers fantastic discounts on purchases made on the same day you open your account.
Be aware that the interest rate is a little on the high end.
12. Sam’s Club Credit Card
Sam’s Club has more to offer than just giant boxes of snacks. The Sam’s Club Credit Card is a great choice with no annual fees and cash back rewards on in-club purchases. The credit card doubles as your membership card and is also accepted at every Walmart store.
This card is a great option for chipping away at that holiday shopping list.
What Is a Christmas Loan?
There’s nothing complicated about it — a Christmas loan is simply a personal loan used for holiday expenses. The options we’ve outlined here are more convenient to get than visiting a brick-and-mortar bank or credit union.
Several types of loan options are available through the networks above. These include long-term installment loans with a monthly payment, short-term loans from payday lenders that require a lump sum repayment on your next payday, and secured loans that require collateral for approval.
Do your homework and be sure you know the differences in the types of loan offers you receive. An unsecured personal loan with a fixed repayment amount can help you better budget your holiday spending.
Can I Get a Loan to Buy Christmas Gifts?
The short answer is yes — any of the options we’ve reviewed here will ensure you a guaranteed Christmas loan, for the most part. The loan term, loan amounts, and interest rate you receive will depend on your credit rating.
And, in most cases, what you do with the money is entirely up to you — just remember to do your homework before committing to a loan provider.
Can You Get a Christmas Loan With Bad Credit?
Most borrowers will qualify for any of the options discussed here, regardless of whether they have good credit. And if these options are pursued responsibly, they are better alternatives than payday advances.
Payday lenders often charge a very high interest rate for a cash advance, and it is easy to do more harm than good if you are not careful.
How Much Will a Christmas Loan Cost?
The final cost of your Christmas loan depends on many factors, most of which we’ve covered above. Christmas cash loans, for example, can come with a short repayment term and a high interest rate.
Getting a credit card is almost always a better idea than seeking a cash advance and can be more convenient than driving to your local credit union.
Again, for the most part, the final cost of your holiday loan is relative to many things, some of which you have great control over, and others not so much. The important thing is to understand the amount you are borrowing and whether you can take on the debt without harming yourself financially.
Compare Christmas Loans For Bad Credit
Christmas loans for bad credit from an online lender or another reputable loan provider, such as those we’ve outlined here, can go a long way in helping you avoid the holiday blues. Not having good credit is no reason to forgo the joys of holiday gift-giving, and Christmas loans can be quite handy if you choose them wisely and always make your monthly payment on time.
The options we’ve laid out here are ideal for most people looking to take out a bad credit loan. So, spend some time figuring out your holiday spending forecast, explore some of our recommendations, and get ready to spread some holiday cheer!
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