Get Help With Holiday Spending

The holidays bring to mind idyllic scenes of cozy visits with friends and family, enjoying a special meal, and giving the perfect gifts. While your heart is set on making merry, your budget may have a very different idea. We get it. Between gifts for family and friends, costs for holiday meals and parties, and even travel, holiday related expenses can wreak havoc on your finances at the end of the year, especially with rising costs.

With all that to consider, it’s no wonder people feel overwhelmed around the holidays. If you’re like some, you may be considering holiday loans or alternatives. We’re here to help you weigh a few options — including the H&R Block Emerald Advance® Loan originated by Pathward®, N.A.— so you can make the best financial decision for you.  Read on to learn more.

What is a holiday loan?

A holiday loan is simply a personal loan that can be used around the end of the year to help pay for holiday spending and expenses. The actual loan amounts, interest rates, and repayment terms can vary from lender to lender. For example, you may be able to borrow anywhere from a few hundred to tens of thousands of dollars. And some loans may have repayment periods that are as short as a few months or as long as five or six years.

There are some commonalities too. These loans often have fixed annual percentage rates (APRs) and provide quick access to funds. Plus, personal holiday loans can be used for any number of holiday expenses: holiday shopping and gifts, travel expenses, food, party costs, and décor.

Holiday loan alternatives

There are many reasons people choose to explore this type of loan during the holidays. Perhaps credit cards are not an option or maybe unexpected expenses have cropped up depleting savings. In cases where you just need to get through a few tight months, taking out a larger or longer-term loan may not make sense.

For those looking for a simple way to stretch your budget during an expensive time of the year, there are alternatives to holiday loans, such as the Emerald Advance^SM Loan.

The Emerald Advance^SM Loan, a type of personal loan, may be an option if you just need a little extra money to get by instead of taking out a big loan. (Hot take: Borrowing only the loan amount you need is one of our tips for better money habits.)

You could get help with holiday expenses from H&R Block

You can apply for the Emerald Advance^SM Loan at participating H&R Block locations from Nov. 1 to Dec. 31, 2023.  If approved, you could get up to $1,300 to help with holiday expenses, unexpected bills and more. Monthly payments are not required — nor any payments at all until March 31. There’s no impact to your credit score to apply; if you are approved and take a loan, the loan will be reported to the credit bureaus, which may affect your credit score.

With Emerald Advance^SM Loan, you could get the boost you need to make it through the holiday season.

Get the details about the Emerald Advance^SM Loan, including the loan application and loan approval process and see how it can make you the superhero of the holidays.

Make an Emerald Advance^SM Loan appointment to apply now.

H&R Block Emerald Advance® Loan originated by Pathward®, N.A., Member FDIC. Subject to eligibility and credit approval. Annual Percentage Rate (APR) is 35.9%. Loan amounts vary from $350-$1300. If approved, loan proceeds will be disbursed as directed to prepaid card or checking account at Pathward. Additional terms and conditions apply, see account agreements for details. Offered for a limited time at participating locations.