Can you spot the expensive advance?

All three arrive in time, run for 14 days and charge no interest. Each membership below is bought only to get this advance.

• A: $3 fee, no tip or membership
• B: $0 fee, $12 required membership
• C: $2 fee plus a $4 tip, no membership

Answer: B: $0 fee, $12 required membership

B costs $12. A costs $3 and C costs $6. The $100 principal is the same in every offer, so compare the extra dollars. “No fee” on one line does not erase a required subscription.

You receive $100. A $5 delivery fee and a $3 tip are collected with the principal. There is no interest, membership or other charge.

• $100
• $108
• $105

Answer: $108

$100 + $5 + $3 = $108. The borrowing cost is $8; the repayment is $108. Keeping those two figures separate makes the next payday easier to plan.

Your $12 monthly membership will continue whether or not you borrow. This month, one advance adds a $4 fee. What is the full cost including membership?

• $16
• $4
• $12

Answer: $16

The full monthly cost is $16. The extra cost of this advance is $4 because you would pay the $12 anyway. Both figures are useful, but the membership still leaves your account.

You take three advances in one monthly billing period. Each has a $2 fee. Your required subscription is $9 for that month, with no other charges.

• $33 in total charges
• $9 in total charges
• $15 in total charges

Answer: $15 in total charges

Three $2 fees make $6. Add the $9 subscription once: $15. Multiplying the subscription by the number of advances would overstate this month’s cost.

A fictional app offers free delivery in three business days or a $6 express option. Your bill is due tonight. You have not checked the express arrival conditions.

• Yes—free delivery means it will arrive today
• Check usable-funds timing and other options before choosing
• The express label guarantees arrival before the bill

Answer: Check usable-funds timing and other options before choosing

The free route misses the stated deadline. The express label still needs a timing check. Compare the full charge and when you can actually use the funds; asking the bill provider about timing may also help.

You repeat the same pattern for 12 months. No subscription, tips, interest or other charges apply. Count fees only, not the money borrowed.

• $60
• $10
• $120

Answer: $120

$5 × 2 advances × 12 months = $120 in fees. A small one-off charge looks different when it becomes a regular expense.

Both approve $100 with no interest or other charges. A deducts a $6 fee before delivery. B delivers $100 and collects its $6 fee at repayment. Which sends you more usable money today?

• A sends more
• B sends more
• They both send $100

Answer: B sends more

A delivers $94; B delivers $100. Both charge $6, but the fee’s timing changes the cash available today. Compare the amount received as well as the amount you will repay.

An offer says “membership from $2 per month.” Your personalized monthly price has not been shown. Which number belongs in a firm comparison?

• $2, because it is advertised
• $0 until you are charged
• You need the actual required price

Answer: You need the actual required price

A starting price is not a confirmed quote. Wait for the actual required membership and any other fees before calculating a firm total. An unknown charge should not become zero.

In this fictional offer, a tip is entirely optional and does not affect eligibility or delivery. The advance is $100, with a $3 delivery fee and no other charges.

• Repayment becomes $103
• Repayment stays $107
• The advance is automatically cancelled

Answer: Repayment becomes $103

With a $0 tip, the repayment is $100 + $3 = $103. The original $4 tip would have made it $107. This example assumes the tip is optional under the stated terms.

You subscribe only for this advance. The agreement bills $8 at sign-up and another $8 before you cancel. The advance fee is $5; there are no other charges.

• $13 in charges
• $21 in charges
• $8 in charges

Answer: $21 in charges

Two $8 membership payments plus the $5 advance fee make $21. Count the subscription periods you actually pay for, not just the number of advances.

Compare fees only over exactly four weeks and one monthly billing period. The weekly option is used four times. The monthly option is used once.

• The weekly option costs $6 more
• The monthly option costs $6 more
• They cost the same

Answer: The weekly option costs $6 more

Four $4 fees total $16, compared with $10. This is a fee-only comparison; the amounts received and repayment dates would also need to match for a product comparison.

Assume a fictional revolving line with no pending transactions, fees or other restrictions. The provider shows a $200 approved limit and an $80 outstanding balance.

• $200
• $280
• $120

Answer: $120

$200 − $80 = $120 available under these assumptions. The approved limit and the remaining available amount are different figures. Real providers may apply other restrictions.