How to Fund Spontaneous Adventures When Your Savings Aren’t Ready
You want to take a spontaneous trip, but you don’t have the money saved up.
It happens.
A free weekend. Unexpected travel deal. Friends getting married in Italy. Wouldn’t it be nice to say yes?
But here’s the thing…
Most Americans don’t have emergency savings.
That includes emergencies we look forward to!
So what do you do when those spontaneous adventures come calling?
In this article:
- Quick Refresher: Most Americans Lack Savings
- What Are Title Loans?
- Title Loans Can Give You Fast Cash
- Things To Think About
- Ideal Uses for Title Loans
Quick Refresher: Most Americans Lack Savings
Don’t believe us?
According to Bankrate’s 2025 Emergency Savings Report, 27% of Americans have zero emergency funds.
Yikes.
That number jumps even higher…
…the number of Americans who could pay for a $1,000 emergency with cash reserves alone was just under 60%.
So if less than 1 in 2 Americans can’t cover a $1k expense from savings, how many could fund an impromptu adventure?
Point is, if you don’t have the savings set aside, you’re likely part of the majority.
And it’s not like most Americans don’t want to save money.
But decades of inflation, rising prices, and stagnant wages have stretched monthly budgets incredibly thin. It’s hard to justify setting money aside for spontaneous adventures when there’s not enough to cover groceries.
Point is, when those dreams come up, most Americans can’t just take them.
Enter Title Loans.
People with access to fast funding can say yes to those last-minute dreams. And if you own your car outright, car title loans can be one way to access that cash.
In fact, many Americans have looked into title loans on cars in Florida when they wanted to seize an opportunity but didn’t have savings.
What Are Title Loans?
If you don’t already know, allow us to explain.
Title loans are essentially cash loans that use your vehicle as collateral.
Instead of taking your car from you, lenders who provide title loans typically hold onto the title while you make payments. You get to keep driving your vehicle.
Once you repay the loan in full, they return your title to you.
These loans exist because they allow people to borrow who may not have stellar credit or steady incomes. Instead of denying them a loan, lenders can approve title loans quickly since there’s less risk.
People with poor credit can still get title loans. Instead of credit scoring, these loans focus on repayment ability.
The amount of money you can receive from a title loan varies, but expect anywhere from 25% to 50% of your vehicle’s worth to be approved.
Title Loans Can Give You Fast Cash
Getting a title loan is easy.
Bring your vehicle and its title to a lender. They appraise your car and work with you to figure out loan terms.
Many lenders can even deposit the funds in your bank account the same day.
Again, the borrower is responsible for making payments on time, every time. If they don’t, the lender technically owns the car.
According to Bankrate, about 5.2% of Americans utilized auto title loans in 2024. This is compared to 3.7% in the year prior which shows people are discovering title loans as an option.
Title loans can get you that fast cash so you can stop dreaming and start doing.
Things To Think About
Wait.
Buckle your seatbelt because we need to slow your roll for a second.
Title loans can be a fantastic resource for some people who need quick funding. But there are some caveats.
For one, these loans tend to have higher interest rates than traditional loans. That makes them a poor choice for long-term borrowing.
Also, these loans typically have a lower repayment window. Most car title loans are 30 days to six months at most.
If you’re not confident you can repay the loan right away, this probably isn’t a great option.
Since your car is on the line, you also risk losing it should you fail to repay. Don’t get behind on your payments.
Finally, don’t jump at the first lender you find. Like with traditional loans, there is variance among lenders.
Interest rates, customer service experience, extra fees, etc. will differ from place to place.
All that to say…
Title loans work best when:
- Borrowers need cash ASAP
- You own your vehicle outright (or close to it)
- You have a plan to repay the loan
- You fully understand the terms
Don’t use title loans if you:
- Need money to cover something long-term
- Have poor credit AND don’t own your car
- Won’t miss a few payments
Ideal Uses for Title Loans
Used responsibly, title loans can open up a world of opportunity.
Here are some scenarios where winning that dream is better than settling.
Travel Opportunities: Sometimes you just need to take the trip. Maybe flight prices are low. You finally have the vacation days you need. Don’t let not having cash stop you from taking advantage.
Celebrate Like It’s 2023: Funerals. Weddings. Class reunions. We only get so many opportunities to celebrate with loved ones. If there’s an event you don’t want to miss, title loans can give you the money to go.
Invest in Experiences: Studies show buying experiences makes us happier than buying material things. If you spend your money on fun and adventure, you’ll feel better about it.
They’re Only Available Now: That travel package. That concert ticket. That new phone. Some deals are too good to pass up. If there’s something you’ve been waiting for that’s available to you right now, grab it with both hands.
Just remember, loans are tools. They should be used as such.
Only borrow what you need. Have a solid repayment plan established before you sign on the dotted line. And make sure the dream is worth the cost.
Making The Decision
Like we mentioned before, every financial decision has its place.
Car title loans might not work for your situation. But if you own your car and want to improve your financial options, they’re worth considering.
Before applying for a title loan:
- Know how much you’ll owe after interest
- Ensure you can make the loan
- Read all the fine print
- Know what happens if you miss payments
The more you know, the better decision you’ll make.
Wrapping Things Up
Life is short.
Don’t get upset at yourself because you said no to an opportunity that sounded amazing.
Title loans let people with reliable vehicles access the money they need to grab dreams with both hands.
If you need money fast and can’t turn to friends or family, look into title loans. They’re quick, easy to qualify for, and can get you the cash you need today.
Just remember what we said. These loans should be treated with respect.
High interest rates and short repayment terms means you have to know what you’re doing when you get one.
Remember:
- Know the terms
- Borrow what you need
- Have a repayment plan
- Make sure it’s worth it.
More opportunities will come your way.
Don’t live your life waiting for the next big thing to happen. Go seize them.
