A couple questions I hope someone knows the answer to...

[Pamela H in Texas]

I called a guy about a mobility scooter that was advertised for on Craigslist. I can't afford a new one, but he said that they had bought this for his mother in law and she didn't get to use it before....

 

I am working part time right now and it is HARD. But I think I could work full time if I didn't have to stand that whole time.

 

Anyway, they are moving next week. We are expecting our income tax return next week. We may or may not get it before they move. And then there is the issue with they could sell it before I get the money.

 

The guy said that there are places that will give me money (a loan) based on how much our return (already prepared and e-filed by yours truly) is. I told him I would check into that. Does anyone know of that? I hate to spend money to get money but....

 

Any other ideas on how I could do this? Seems like there should be ways to do this. Me working keeps us off welfare (hubby has been unemployed for 3 weeks now but hopefully that will end soon).

 

Thanks for any ideas :)

[i.love.lucy]

Pamela, to be honest I wouldn't go that route. Those "income" or "payday" loan places are in business to make money off the interest they charge. If you added up the interest they'd take out of your tax return and added it to the cost of the scooter, would it really be such a good deal?

 

I'd chalk it up to the fact that you can't buy something until you get the money. If this one isn't sold, you can go for it. If it is, another will come along. Have you also checked into Medical Supply places to rent one or buy a used one? You might not like it and renting would save you the hassle of finding that out.

 

:grouphug:

[Pamela H in Texas]

Thanks :)

 

I figured the interest was probably high but I thought I'd at least look at it.

 

I think it might be wise to see if there is a place I can try out a few though. Though I'm going to not be able to be picky because my budget is so incredibly low, I can have an idea what I can stand versus not.

[chaik76]

Thanks :)

 

I figured the interest was probably high but I thought I'd at least look at it.

 

I think it might be wise to see if there is a place I can try out a few though. Though I'm going to not be able to be picky because my budget is so incredibly low, I can have an idea what I can stand versus not.

I definitely agree with not going the payday route...it's horridly expensive.

 

I hope you are able to find something!!!

[plansrme]

I am not necessarily advocating this, but "refund anticipation" loans are not the same thing as payday loans. H&R Block and other reputable tax preparation firms will make refund anticipation loans. If payday loans are evil, refund anticipation loans, maybe just naughty.

 

The refund anticipation loan is essentially an advance on your refund. Lenders got in trouble a few years back for not really making it clear that they were loans, advertising, instead, that they were "immediate refunds."

 

I don't know if H&R Block, etc., would make a loan on a return that has been filed already, but maybe.

 

Hope that helps,

Terri

[Murphy101]

Noooo!

Do not do an anticipation loan. They take an outragious amount out of your tax refund.

 

Go to TaxAct.com and do an efile with direct deposit to your bank. It is free for federal and you will get it pretty quick. We've used them for several years and never waited more than a week and a half to see it in the bank.

 

State might be free or up to $15 to efile at the same time.

 

Easy. We were able to itemize and everything direct to checking acct for fed and state for $15 and got our refund this year within 5 business days.

[Pamela H in Texas]

Martha,

 

That is how I *did* file. It's been a week and a half. The IRS says it'll be another week. However, last year, it said that and then at the last minute, got moved back another week. So I figure it'll be here sometime between the 23rd and 5th. I'd be THRILLED if it came earlier!

[Murphy101]

Martha,

 

That is how I *did* file. It's been a week and a half. The IRS says it'll be another week. However, last year, it said that and then at the last minute, got moved back another week. So I figure it'll be here sometime between the 23rd and 5th. I'd be THRILLED if it came earlier!

 

Oh. Well that stinks.

Still though they take a huge chunk of your taxes on those advance loans. I bet if you were to figure that into the cost it wouldn't be that great a deal.

 

And there are lots of places to get those used. Have you called around to refurbished medical supply places?