A New Option for Payday Loan Borrowers

Borrowers in California and Texas searching for quick cash have a new option: a database of low-cost alternatives to high-interest payday loans.

The database, built by NerdWallet and searchable by ZIP code, lists more than three dozen community organizations that provide financial assistance to borrowers in the form of small-dollar loans or grants. Loans range from a few hundred to thousands of dollars, typically with no interest.

The idea came from a desire to steer borrowers away from the neighborhood payday loan store and toward a safer alternative, says James Zhang, who leads NerdWallet’s Consumer Credit and Debt team and spearheaded the project.

“A huge chunk of America needs access to credit, but with payday loans, they get a product that will put them in more financial distress,” Zhang says.

Payday loans have an average annual percentage rate of 400%, according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Four out of 5 loans are rolled over or renewed within two weeks, the bureau’s research shows, trapping borrowers in a cycle of high-interest debt. And a recent CFPB report showed payday loan borrowers often face high bank penalties, which can lead to the loss of their accounts.

Most of the nonprofits included in the database offer interest-free loans. Those that do charge an interest rate have a cap of 36% APR, which consumer advocates say is the upper limit of loan affordability.

Meeting consumers’ needs online
As payday lending moves online, nonprofits lack the infrastructure to reach consumers in the digital world, Zhang says. Borrowers who search for online payday loans may not turn up the lower-cost options available.

NerdWallet, with more than 3 million visitors a month, is well-positioned to connect those consumers with online alternatives, Zhang says.

Online lending makes up one-third of all payday lending, but online lenders’ revenue tripled from $1.4 billion in 2006 to more than $4 billion in 2013, according to a report by the Pew Charitable Trusts.

The NerdWallet database is free to its partner community organizations and is expected to expand to cover more states. Zhang says California and Texas, the database’s first targets, are among states with the highest number of payday loan storefronts in the country.

“Payday loans prey on people who don’t have anywhere else to turn,” says Natalie Evans, director of programs at the Assistance Center of Collin County in Plano, Texas. The center, which provides financial assistance for rent and utility payments, is a member of the payday loan alternatives database.

FAIP Power Washer PWS1800 – U Electric Pressure Washer Review

This Power Pressure washer easily meets even the most demanding of the cleaning projects around the house. The unit includes a new universal motor delivering 1800 PSI at 1.6 GPM. The automatic total stop system switches the Pressure Washer on only when the trigger is on the gun. When trigger is released the pump and motor stop automatically to save energy and prolong the life of the unit. The PWS1800 comes with a spray wand which adjusts right from pencil point to wide fan spray. The spray pressure can easily be adjusted from high to low to meet your needs. The PWS1800 has a turbo nozzle for handling heavy duty work around the house. On board tool storage on the integrated roll-around cart is a given, and is equipped with large wheels for greater convenience and mobility. The pressure washer comes with a 23 foot reinforced high pressure hose with a fitting which connects it easily. The power cord is 35 foot long which is a good thing about the kit. The hose reel kit makes storage a breeze. This product is UL listed. It comes with a 1 year warranty.

The FAIP Power Washer PWS1800 is easy to assemble

The PWS1800 is easy to assemble, is quite light and looks quite decent too. The motor is quiet and using it is easy. The wand feels nice and easy even with decent cleaning pressure. That is until something goes wrong. The variable pressure wand is notorious for its seal bursting and there have been numerous complaints about this. The turbo wand solves the immediate problem. But then you cannot use the turbo mode for long. The auto stop feature shuts the motor off when there is not water flowing. But then after a few uses, even this feature stops working and you are forced to stop using the unit to avoid burning the motor. It is not necessarily a bad thing if something is made in China. A lot of products in the market now are made in China. It helps keep the prices reasonable, but that is no excuse for having something this bad.

If the FAIP Powerwasher pressure washer unit works then it should receive good ratings as it is a great pressure washers doing its job with ease. But it is actually quite difficult to find people who haven’t had any trouble whatsoever with this unit. If it has to be described in one word, that would be unpredictable.

On the positive note, people for whom the unit works are happy with the PWS1800. The pickup tube can be used to mix soap and water before rinsing it. The pickup works find too but you have to adjust the nozzle to the lowest pressure. There is a strainer which needs to be watched. Keeping dirt away from the insides of the machine is crucial to its good running. The price for this unit is much lower than the competition in this segment. To ensure safe operation, read the instructions carefully. The GFI needs to be checked before you go about running it.

Karcher K 5.85 Pressure Washer Review

The Karcher K 5.85 M is Karcher’s most durable electric Pressure Washer to be used at home. It Is made with a very durable aluminum pump and this unit is supposed to be able to withstand the rigorous usage at home and delivers 1850 PSI which is almost 40 times a normal garden hose. The K 5.85 M comes with an extremely reliable induction motor which is said to last up to three times longer than a standard universal motor. The K 5.85 M is equipped with two spray bad. The DirtBlaster Spray Wand helps increase the effective pressure of the pump by 50% and is great for tough jobs. The Vario Power Spray Wand allows you to adjust the pressure of the water flow on the fly.


  • Karcher K 5.85 M Plus Electric Pressure Washer Features
  • The trigger gun has a total stop function which means that the machine will only run if you spray effectively reducing the noise and power consumption.
  • The trigger gun has a child safety lock too. The hose reel helps reduce the clean up time and extends the life of the hose by protecting it.
  • The K 5.85 M is equipped with an onboard detergent tank.
  • The K 5.85 M’s ergonomic design with a handle and wheels lead to easy maneuvering.


There is an optional water suction hose with the help of which you can draw water from a standing source such as bucket if a water faucet isn’t available.
The Karcher seems to exude some quality. The high pressure hose works well. Unlike most hose reels, the hose stays connected to the reel whether you wind it or unwind it. The power cord isn’t all that easy to store though. The garden hose connection isn’t the sturdiest part of the unit. Unless you take it easy, it might break off. The customer service of the Karcher is abysmal and most people complain of unnecessary hassles when it comes to dealing with them. The unit itself works well, but the problem is the customer service.

Most such units are made in China. However, this Karcher K 5.85 is made in Germany and the quality does show. The German Pressure Washer is among the first things which you are likely to notice. The large attachment nozzle for the pressure washer is made of brass. When you want to connect the hose, you need to spend a lot of time trying to connect the plastic coupled hose to it. It needs to be made of metal. Only a metal coupling works for these things. The GFI on the cord can be a huge block if you already have a GF on an outdoor outlet, which is quite common nowadays. The GFI on the washer will refuse to set. So you need to remember that this unit is supposed to work on a power outlet which is not activated with GFI. All this safety features are there because it is presumably German. Once you get it to work you’ll realize that it is reasonably quiet and comes with a fair deal of strength. Spend a little extra and get a better attachment. It’ll help you clean much larger areas with greater ease.


Power Boss 3,000 PSI 2.5 Gallons per Minute Honda Gas Powered Pressure Washer

The Briggs Power Boss GC190  Gas Powered Pressure Washer comes with a Honda OHC engine which starts easily and gives you a reliable performance. The axial cam pump is maintenance free and the Easy Start pump technology makes for smooth starting. The flow rate is a maximum of 2.5 gallons per minute. Different connector tips for spraying are provided along with the unit. They include 0 degree, 15 degree, 40 degree and low pressure professional style quick connect spray tips. It is backed by a one year warranty.

Every homeowner finds it necessary to update the home from time to time. These updates and remodeling projects can be time-consuming and expensive. For a person on a limited budget for the home remodeling and update, sometimes simply giving the home a thorough cleaning and paint job will transform the old to the new. Honda is offering a gas-powered pressure washer which has received high acclaim in pressure washer reviews by home owners. The Power Boss 020309 Honda GC 190 Gas-Powered pressure washer can be ordered online and shipped to your home in just a matter of days. With the price ranging just a little over $400.00, this is an amazing buy on a pressure washer which will last for years and be able to withstand even the most trying cleaning tasks.

Gas Powered Pressure Washer with  Power 3000 PSI

The Power Boss  Gas Powered Pressure Washer gives you a tremendous amount of power, and that too 3000PSI . It may sound strange that Briggs would put a Honda engine on their product, but it is all for the better as Honda makes great small gasoline powered engines. There are no qualms about starting, and it runs well. The sealed pump needs no maintaining at all. A lot of homeowners use pressure washer and most of them don’t change the pump oil as recommended. And this thing about the pump eliminates the trouble completely. The gas tank is huge and can run for ages together. The Power Boss GC190  Gas Powered Pressure Washer is easy to move around thanks to the pneumatic wheels. The sprayer tips connect in an instant. There is even an on-board detergent tank so you need not worry about spillage. Operating the unit is quite simple and it does everything reasonably well, with some power. You can get yourself a true commercial model, but that would entail a big jump in price.

There is a problem with the instructions. Due to that, the assembly becomes a little bit confusing. That is one area which really needs some fixing on their part. The wheels on the unit are very wobbly . That may be attributed to the axle which makes the unit feel unstable during movement. The accessory tray doesn’t serve the purpose it is supposed to. The hook to keep the high pressure hose secure does not do it. It’s a case of the hose being too stiff and too powerful to stay on the hook. The other tips for the gun should have been ideally given a place right on the unit instead of you having to go some distance if you want to use it.

It is just a case of the unit not having a good design to incorporate everything it provides. It needs to be built better. But the Honda engine goes really well and is one of the best things on this pressure washer. There are no issues about start-up and everything gets fired up in an instant. Fuel efficiency is really good. A lot of people are pleased with the engine, but the same people are complaining about the rather flimsy hardware. A bigger wand would have been better in this device. The four nozzles are stored in the bottom of the wand in a container, but it leads to a tendency to them falling off. The hose too is quite short. There are a few disadvantages with high power gas powered pressure washers.

It is not a bad pressure washer and it easily gets household jobs done. But if you need it for something closer to industrial purposes, it cannot be recommended. It is designed for home use, not industrial. The Honda engine is really good.
Whether you are updating and remodeling your home to put it on the market for sale, or if you are just tired of the old, dirty and dated look of your home, the gas-powered pressure washer from Honda will allow you to finish your job in record time and you will be simply amazed with the crisp, clean, fresh look your home will have due to its thorough cleaning power.

Ao Smith Water Heaters

AO smith water heaters were produced in the year 1936 by AO smith. This company has been running successfully in the market producing over a number of models for both residential as well as for commercial purpose.

This reputed company offers wide collection of water heaters for commercial uses like the gas water heater is in respect to its various highly efficient designs to the very much standard energy-efficient units for both the usage like natural gas and propane applications. The electric water heater is the one that consist of the unique upgraded features like intelligent control system and the recent standard of gold elements of 24k even which will help these water heaters to sustain their performance even in the worst conditions of water as such.

The oil fired water heaters are usually the best for medium size applications for commercial purpose likewise. Also in this, the large size has an option of two stage pumps for the requirement with below grade oil storage tanks accordingly. Nevertheless every model in this type comes with a two hand hole cleanouts for quick and easy servicing as such. The best option in this is the multi fuel water heater which is basically the best unit for large industrial, commercial and institutional applications likewise. Now this unit provides a maximum storage capacity of up to 575 gallons and up to 2.5million BTU per hour input. All these models come with a distinctive feature of multiple anodic protections in order to protect against the tank corrosion.

For residential use as well, there is a conventional water heater which comes in both the gas as well as the electric based water heater. The conventional gas water heater comes in various models from the highly innovative efficient designs to the very much standard energy efficient units for both the requirements like the natural gas as well as the propane applications as such. And the electric water heater comes with the exciting and the new highly efficient units of electric heat pump and even the advanced models with the latest heating elements which assure long number of years of complete dependable performance as such.

The next hybrid water heater is the unit which will provide you hot water at any time of the hour and that too as much as you want. This unit makes the combination of exciting features of conventional technologies and tank less ones to have come up with a new generation of water heater as such. Also the voltex hybrid electric heat pump water heaters are the highly versatile, energy efficient ones which would save the greenery around and also provide the equal amount of hot water in almost half of the cost as compared to the other units in the market. The cirrex solar water heater comes with a very easy and quick installation of the unit and can provide almost 70% of the needed energy directly from the sun itself. All these various AO Smith water heaters come with a different warranty period of between 6 years to 10 years respectively.

Bosch Tankless Water Heater

A Bosch tankless  water heater is undoubtedly the best selling water heater brand when it comes to this industry. This type of water heater is mainly manufactured in Germany and it has a variety of models that one can choose from. This type of water heater ensures that you get hot water almost instantly because of the technology that has been used in designing it. This means that the Bosch tankless  water heater does not work the way the traditional water heaters used to.

The traditional water heaters used to heat up all the water in the tank so when the heated water was all used up, you had to wait for long before you can enjoy a hot shower. On the other hand, this type of water heater is very convenient when it comes to such a problem because it offers a very good solution. This type of water heater heats water that is needed i.e. only the water that you are using for bathing gets heated up and not the whole tank. This feature is also cost effective because it ensures that less energy is used in the heating process.

This type of water heaters are built with great consideration for environmental and governmental requirements. This means that the Energy factor that is found in the Bosch tankless  water heater is not less than 0.82. This is good because it enables you to apply for tax credit from the government and also access the available rebates. Another very useful and brilliant feature of the tank is the small size that it has. The size factor is very important because it helps you to save space in your home and people who have smaller homes can also enjoy the benefits of this water heater.

The Bosch tankless  water heater is build to last very long approximately twenty years. This durability feature means that once you get the water heater, you can relax and enjoy your hot showers for 20 years without worrying about anything. In addition to this, the best part of the purchase is that the Bosch Company usually provides you with a warranty of 12 years on the heat exchanger as well as 2 years on the other parts.

Any of the models & design of the Bosch tankless  water heater normally uses an electronic ignition. This is a very useful feature because it ensures that no gas is wasted by the pilot light which normally burns constantly. There are some types of this water heater that enable you to use them for elevations of up to close 5 miles. This is very convenient for people who live in high altitude areas and require enjoyment of hot baths just like the rest of the population. The Bosch tankless  water heater can also serve up to 3 bathrooms. This is very convenient for people who are living in mansions that have many bathrooms because everyone can enjoy hot baths at the same time. The Bosch tankless  water heater is also very eco-friendly too.