As inflation continues to rise across the UK, the disposable income levels of British citizens have come under sharp focus.

The most recent studies have been carried out by the Resolution Foundation, who have revealed that only the top 1% of households in the UK have fully recovered from the financial crisis.

As citizens continue to struggle with real wage stagnation and the rising cost of living, there may be a growing temptation to seek out unsecured, short-term loans. While this can provide relief, however, it is important to consider the following before taking out a payday loan.

1. Payday Loans Still Carry Fixed Interest Rates

While the days of excessive interest rates on payday loans may have come to an end, it is still important to understand the nature of short-term lending and calculate the precise amount you will be required to pay back.

Regulations introduced in 2015 by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) capped all payday loan interest rates at 0.8% a day, minimising the cost of borrowing nationwide. This is still slightly higher than secured loans, however, so you must factor this when determining whether or not you can make a full repayment according to the terms of the agreement.

So, do your own calculations when determining how much you can actually afford to borrow, before reading through the necessary small print to highlight any other factors that may affect your repayment.

2. Not All Lenders Are Created Equal

While all payday loan firms offer a similar service, they are not all created equal. There are even some that have forged their own unique niche within the marketplace, to the point where they would even classify themselves as payday loan firms.

Take Smart Pig, for example, which delivers a loan service aimed at students and positioned itself as a viable alternative to a classic payday loan. Not only does it cap interest rates at 0.8% per day as stipulated, but it has also placed further restrictions and eliminated hidden fees to create a fair pricing structure.

It is important to keep this in mind, as ideally you should seek out specialist short-term loans that are designed to meet your specific circumstances.

3. Payday Loans Are There for Emergencies, Not Cash-flow Shortages

While payday loans have historically been demonized, they do serve a viable purpose in the modern age so long as they are used responsibly.

More specifically, they should only ever be used to cover an unexpected payment or emergency, so long as the value can be comfortably repaid from your next pay-packet. Conversely, they should not be used to fund a lifestyle or plug gaps in your cash-flow, as this becomes unsustainable due to the mounting interest and late payment charges associated by some operators.