iQuanti: Vehicles can be one of your biggest expenses next to your rent or mortgage. Aside from the car payment, insurance, and gas, repairs can put a big dent in your budget if you aren't financially prepared. Fortunately, numerous quick financing options can help you cover the costs of unexpected repairs. This article will dive into five car repair loans you can choose from if you ever need to cover the cost of a car fix-up.

1. Installment loans

Installment loans are short-term loans that let you borrow a lump sum and repay in fixed principal and interest payments. Installment loans are often available in larger amounts, and you can get them within the same day at some lenders. These benefits and predictable payments make them suitable for larger repairs and easy to budget for.

2. Lines of credit

Lines of credit are flexible loans that let you borrow up to a certain limit as needed. You can then repay the borrowed amount at your leisure. Thanks to their flexibility, lines of credit can work well if your car needs maintenance more often or repair costs are unpredictable. This also makes them suitable for emergency repairs, such as damage.

3. Cash advances

Cash advances are quick, small-dollar loans that can help you cover costs before your next payday. Lenders often have less strict credit score requirements with these types of loans, and will consider additional factors like employment history and income during the approval decision process.

A cash advance can typically give you a few hundred dollars, which you can repay in two to four weeks. You can roll over the loan for an additional fee if you can't repay it, but be careful not to get stuck in too many rollovers.

4. Title loans

If you own the car outright, you could use the title as collateral for a title loan. The title lender verifies that you have income and appraises your car, then offers you a loan equal to 25% to 50% of the car's value. If you accept, you can often get the funds that same day. Plus, you can continue driving the vehicle in repayment. That means you may be able to go from the title lender to the mechanic that same day to pay for the repairs.

5. Pawn shop loans

Pawn shops let you use nearly any valuable item as collateral to get a short-term loan. The pawnbroker appraises your item, then offers you a loan amount and terms with no credit check.

If you accept, you can exchange your item for the loan and a claim ticket. The loan typically lasts 30 days, and may include a 30-day grace period to repay the loan plus interest. You'll exchange your claim ticket for your item when you repay the loan. If you can't repay, you may be able to roll over the loan. Otherwise, the pawn shop can seize the item, but no credit score consequences exist.

Cover the cost of car repairs

Car repairs can cause a lot of stress if you aren't prepared. But plenty of loan types can help you cover the costs of unexpected repairs. Installment loans may work for larger one-off repairs, whereas lines of credit can be a good choice if you have more unpredictable or more frequent fixes. Title loans can help out if you own the car outright, whereas cash advances can stand in if you don't. And pawn shop loans are another option if you are willing to risk a valuable item.

So, the next time car maintenance takes you by surprise, consider one of these loans. Weigh the pros and cons of each to pick the right loan for your situation and budget.

Americans want to be homeowners, but feel they can't afford to buy — most agree "the American dream of owning a home is dead." But they also feel that they can't afford to stay where they are — and their solutions could change the country's housing market, according to "The State of Real Estate," the latest survey from The Harris Poll Thought Leadership Practice, released today.

The survey, conducted online among a representative sample of 1,980 U.S. residents in November, provides a deep dive into how Americans — particularly young Americans — feel about all aspects of homeownership.

Most Americans dream of owning a home of their own, but feel that costs are making it impossible. Almost six out of 10 respondents (59%) are "worried I will never be able to own a home." Most (61%) said they "feel priced out" of the current real estate market — a feeling even stronger among Millennials (69%). 

"People's sense of safety has been shattered by the pandemic and what we call the stacked crisis — pandemic, war, inflation, climate disasters, and more," said Libby Rodney, chief strategy officer and futurist at The Harris Poll. "Crucial to reestablishing our sense of safety is housing. As humans, we are wired to nest and ground ourselves during times of uncertainty and upheaval. This data shows that not only do people feel priced out of the market, but areas that people live, especially Millennials, are so expensive that they feel barely livable." 

Notably, most respondents (62%) feel Wall Street investors are part of the reason costs are so high, a feeling even stronger among people living in cities (72%). 

However, Rodney noted a finding that, on the surface, seemed contradictory: One in five people (20%) have moved to a new home since the start of the pandemic, and a fifth of Gen Z-ers (19%) and 13% of Millennials were able to buy their first homes during the pandemic, often because mortgage rates fell sharply.

Most did so because of costs — more than 60 percent said they were seeking more affordable housing or a lower cost of living. (A similar percentage said they wanted more living space, and more than a third of movers said they moved for "political reasons.")

A deeper look, though, shows that those who moved often have buyer's regret. Almost six in 10 (59%) said their move was unplanned, and almost half (44%) say they wish they hadn't. 

However, Americans still hope to move — almost four in 10 (39%) plan to move to a new home within three years — and they report a wide range of reasons for wanting to do so. 

Cost is the biggest concern: More than six out of 10 homeowners and renters say their housing costs have increased since the pandemic — and more than a quarter (28%) say those costs have increased tremendously. Almost half (47%) of respondents say their current area "has become so unaffordable it's barely livable." 

But costs cut both ways — seven in 10 (71%) are holding off because of concerns over economic uncertainty, like interest rates, inflation or a recession.

Americans are seeking broader pastures (away from the cities)

When they do move, though, Americans are poised to shift the population of the country. 

Working remotely has changed how people see the real estate market. Three-quarters (77%) of those who plan to move within three years say working remotely has expanded their options.

That has more people likely to consider suburbs (64%) and rural areas (57%) than big cities (44%) as their destination. Younger generations are more likely to make that move: More than half of Gen Z-ers and Millennials would move to suburbs and rural areas, compared to about 45% of Gen X-ers and a third of Boomers. 

In fact, the poll shows that Americans are re-examining their relationship with cities. 

Almost seven in 10 (69%) disagree with the statement that "you have to live in the city to be successful in life." Almost two-thirds (64%) of those planning to move say it's scary to live in a big city, because of threats like pandemics or war. 

Many Americans are willing to go even farther than the suburbs: Six out of 10 (60%) would consider moving to another state, and almost four in 10 (39%) would move to another country.

Their main reasons for moving closely resemble the thinking of those who moved during the pandemic: seeking more affordable housing (72%), lower cost of living (67%), safety (66%), and increased living space (66%). And again, 34% would move for "political reasons." 

They're also considering anything they can do to make housing affordable — more than half (55%) say they can't afford to live without a roommate, and more than a quarter (28%) have considered renting out their homes temporarily to make money.

In all, Rodney said, The Harris Poll for Thought Leadership survey shows Americans struggling to resolve a housing dilemma. 

"One trend we are watching closely after looking through this data is how migration patterns in the U.S. will continue to play out as people prioritize suburban and rural living over cities," she said. "Americans might be questioning if the cost of living in a city is worth it, especially when many have figured out how to create opportunities and success for themselves in the last two-and-a-half years virtually."

The Harris Poll for Thought Leadership's "State of Real Estate" survey is available at this link. 

 About The State of Real Estate Survey

This survey was conducted online within the U.S. by The Harris Poll from Nov. 11-13, 2022, among a nationally representative sample of 1,980 U.S. adults. This research includes 1,296 homeowners and 615 renters, as well as 194 Gen Z (ages 18-24), 613 Millennials (ages 25-40), 485 Gen X (ages 41-56), and 688 Boomers (ages 57 and older).

About Harris Poll Thought Leadership Practice

Building on 50+ years of experience pulsing societal opinion, we design research that is credible, creative, and culturally relevant. Our practice drives thought leadership and unearths trends for today's biggest brands. We are focused on helping our clients get ahead of what's next.

Harm Reduction Box
This is a real Narcan Distribution box in Michigan.

Mechanism Exchange & Repair, Inc. (MER), one of the last manufacturers of Newspaper Vending Machines, is finding their distribution boxes make their way around the country, but instead of newspapers, their distribution cases are being used to provide free access to life-saving Narcan for those who need it.

Mechanism Exchange & Repair has joined the nationwide fight against the opioid epidemic. One of the company's distribution boxes, "The PorchBox," was originally built for use as a Book Share Box and Food Share Box. The boxes resemble standard newspaper dispensers. The PorchBox can be found at various locations across the United States such as at festivals, bars, churches, on college campuses and outside of marijuana dispensaries. The boxes are being stocked with free doses of Narcan, a nasal spray designed to combat opioid overdose emergencies. 

"We are thrilled to have our products be used in such a life-saving way," said The PorchBox manager Jeffery Card. "With the rise of fentanyl and other opioid-related overdoses, we understand the importance of having counteragents like Narcan readily available." 

Opioid-related overdoses have been on a steady incline over the past few years largely due to fentanyl being found on college campuses across the country. Counterfeit pills containing fentanyl are replacing legitimate pills like Xanax, Adderall and Oxycontin, resulting in higher amounts of overdoses among college-aged people. 

The CDC reported an almost 15% increase in overdoses caused by opioids from 2020 to 2021. As a result, universities and nonprofit organizations, such as Harm Reduction Michigan (HRM), have helped to increase the availability of the life-saving drug Narcan. 

Pamela Lynch at HRM stated, "The newspaper-style boxes are very helpful in making Narcan available in communities that otherwise have limited access to it. They are very affordable in comparison to the repurposed vending machines that many organizations are using to provide easy access to this life-saving medication."

A standard vending machine can cost anywhere from $3,000.00 to $12,000.00 each. Conversely, The PorchBox distribution box costs $300.00 - $400.00, does not require electricity, and can quickly be moved into high-need areas as needed. Harm Reduction Michigan has 50 of MER's Distribution Boxes on the street and has plans to order 100 more soon.  

As an opioid antagonist, Narcan works to restore the breathing of those who are experiencing an overdose. The counteragent comes as a nasal spray which makes for easy application in the event of an emergency. Use of the drug is as simple as inserting the dispenser into one nostril and squeezing down as one would with any other nasal spray. Narcan is known to have no effect on those who have not consumed opioids. 

Learn more about The PorchBox Narcan Box product here: https://theporchbox.com/collections/all-products/products/narcan-box 

iQuanti: Everyone's financial journey starts somewhere. Whether you have a solid understanding of finances or are looking for a beginner's guide, these four steps are the perfect entry point for tackling your finances. In the midst of this financial planning, you'll also want to have options for when you're short on funds. We've rounded up the tips you need to know, plus what to do when you need help, including same-day cash advances.  

1. Analyze your finances

When approaching your financial journey, it's important to start at the very first step: analyzing your money choices. You can begin by pulling out your bank statements and combing through your spending habits. When you face your finances head-on, this can help you understand exactly what you're working with and get an idea of what's going right or wrong with your spending. 

2. Create a budget

After you have a thorough understanding of your finances, it's time to design a budget. There are dozens of templates out there to get you started on budgeting, but you can also create your own personalized method that fits your needs. Have to prioritize debt over saving? There's a budget for that. Need to save for a big move? You can create a budget that works perfectly to get you there! 

3. Grow your savings

In almost any case, you'll want to prioritize your saving efforts. Having a solid savings account available can help you in case of emergency, allow you to save up for a financial goal, and be a solid safety net in case you have a life change. Even if you can only put away a small amount monthly, the interest on the savings will continue to grow and get you into the savings mentality. 

4. Beginner investing

When thinking about easy financial moves, investing may not come to mind. But the reality is that investing is a catch-all term and can include very safe decisions and riskier ones. For beginners, investing in low-risk options like retirement plans can make your money stretch further. By putting money into things like 401k, CDs, or bonds, you allow your money to steadily grow! 

What to do if you need money fast

Sometimes, things happen, even when we're doing everything right on our financial journey. If you find yourself in a pinch and need quick access to funds, there are plenty of options. Here are a few ways to get fast cash:

• Get a same-day cash advance: For funds that don't require a lengthy application process, same-day cash advances can be a great solution. These loans allow you to submit applications in a matter of minutes and get the funds you need almost immediately. Then, you can repay what you owe in two to four weeks, when you get your paycheck.
• Use your credit card: When you're in a financial pinch, a credit card may come in handy. If you use your credit card responsibly - by paying off your balance each month - then it can be a helpful way to tide yourself over until you have more money available. Just make sure you don't spend more than you can afford to repay so that you don't run into bigger financial problems down the road.
• Get a pawn shop loan: When you don't have the credit to secure a loan, it might be time to try a pawn shop loan. With this type of loan, you give an item of value to the pawn shop as collateral, and they, in turn, loan money to you. You can have the item back once you've repaid the borrowed amount. Otherwise, the pawn shop will be able to keep it if you're unable to pay back the funds.  

The bottom line

Maintaining your financial journey is just as important as starting it in the right place. By following these tips and knowing what fast cash options are at your disposal, you're well on your way to better financial health. Just keep in mind that the journey is never finished, and it's always smart to continue learning and growing in order to stay on top of your finances!