It’s Thursday night. Your favorite band just announced a surprise show for tomorrow, or maybe your car’s check-engine light just started flashing, requiring a $150 fix. The problem? Your bank account has exactly $14.50 in it, and payday is still 8 days away. Ten years ago, quick cash meant begging parents or facing predatory lenders....

Have a holiday shopping list that’s a mile long, but a wallet that’s close to empty? Don’t turn to high interest credit cards or buy now pay later programs that will leave you with a costly holiday hangover you’ll be paying off well into the new year. With just a little bit of shopping around...