I have been budgeting my money in such a way to steer clear from payday advances completely. I work at a store like this, so obviously I should learn from their mistakes.

a) I do not spend my last paycheck. I will have it available after my next paycheck is cashed.

b) I assume the worst with a car: it might need repairs up to $250 in a random circumstance. Therefore, I set aside 250 bucks in case that comes up.

c) I swallow my pride and can ask my parents for money if necessary.

d) These safeguards are there only in an emergency. I do not dip into these in a planned, or expectant manner. For example, I won't buy a car that I know will have $220 worth repairs, knowing that I have the defense of $250 to cover it. That is counter-intuitive to the purpose: to be prepared for the unexpected.

e) These safeguards are flexible enough that, if in duress and absolutely necessary, I may use them elsewhere with the knowledge that I have then lost the safeguards they were intended for.

I am tired of payday advances. I never want to be in debt (not even a mortgage), let alone to a payday advance store. I sometimes wonder if I am being unreasonable about this. But then I really don't want to be trapped in one place if I am called to leave. I realize that being called in such a way is not expected, but I guess that is another safeguard I want. I don't want to be stuck between God's calling and my selfishness... because one is obviously right, and the other can be avoided.

"But Jon, you'll miss out on a lot of good things." Like what? hypothetically, say I bought a car and was doing so in payments for the span of 3 years. First of all, it isn't mine until it is completely paid. So, this good thing that I am missing out on is really something that isn't mine to enjoy necessarily. Further,  I am bound to the person I owe. I cannot get away from it until  the 3 years of payments are up, or muster the money to do so (for example by selling it to someone to pay the rest of the payments off). Either way, I am bound to the owner until it is paid off. And what if I lose my job or a few things come up which tie up my money ... such that I cannot make my payments? I don't want to be in that position. That horrifies me.

I am not saying it is impossible to be in debt or even that borrowing money is wrong, I just don't think it is wise... nor do I want to be in that position. God never says anything against borrowing or lending, except in that the borrower is a slave to the lender and also that one should not lend money with (unreasonable) interest.

And to furher run from the problems they encounter... priority of spending:

1) Tithe

2) Bills and debts

3) Savings

4) Giving

5) Personal spending

Tithe more than a tenth, don't get too many bills, save as much as you can, give what people need, and be frugal in miscellanious spending (don't eat out often).

Meh. I'm an idealist NT.