Comparison scenario · updated Sep 7, 2026
30-day loans: the repayment date matters as much as the rate
Annualized costs can be enormous; check the exact disbursement and total repayment.
Your individual disclosure sheet and contract take priority over every example.
Educational example: a short cost is not necessarily a small cost
Assumptions
- Cash received: $3,000
- Single payment after 30 days: $3,600
- No extension or delay
- No other charges
Result
The 30-day cost would be $600, or 20% of the cash received during that period.That 20% is not CAT. CAT annualizes and incorporates defined cost concepts; use the two figures for different questions.
Checklist before applying
- Align the due date with confirmed income.
- Do not treat the maximum available as your budget.
- Compare the cost in pesos and the CAT.
- Review late charges, collection practices, and early repayment.
The date must match available cash
Do not rely on possible income. Make sure the due date follows confirmed income and leaves room for housing, food, health, and transport.
An extension can multiply the cost
Ask in writing what happens if you miss the date: default interest, fees, collection, or extension. Do not assume renewal will be available.
CAT does not replace the total
CAT helps compare equivalent products, but your cash flow requires the amount received, exact date, and total leaving your account.
Apps with published amounts
Each profile states the amount its public source shows today. A published range does not guarantee the amount or the conditions of your offer.
Compare using your own numbers
Do not rely on an advertised installment. Enter the rate, term, fee, VAT, and frequency from the offer you received.
Open calculatorCommon questions
Is a 30-day loan always bad?
It cannot be judged by term alone. Total cost, repayment capacity, and late-payment consequences matter.
Why can CAT look so high?
Because it expresses costs in annualized terms. In very short credit, a charge concentrated into a few days produces a high annual figure.
Can I rely on an extension?
Only when its conditions are written in the contract or offer. A verbal promise or message does not replace those documents.
Sources to verify
These sources explain the general framework. They do not replace an institution's individual terms.