Too many people get themselves into money trouble because of poor decision making. It might sound cruel, but it’s a fact. Most average Americans are only a few bad choices away from financial catastrophe. This article isn’t here to scare you, though—it’s here to help you stay smart. Follow this advice, and you may find yourself with an unexpected lifeline the next time you get into tricky financial waters.

Getting out of debt isn’t an easy thing to do, even when the economy is in good shape. There are, however, a couple of easy ways in which you can give yourself temporary financial leverage. It’s amazing to think that a small piece of good advice could be just what it takes to pay off a long-standing debt or improve your credit rating. A good credit rating will then make you eligible for more and more powerful borrowing solutions in the future.

One of the simplest and fastest places to start is by taking out a car title loan. Some people shy away from car title loans because they’re afraid of losing their vehicle. After all, if you fail to repay a title loan in time then the loan company legally owns your car. The stakes are undeniably high, but if you know you’ll be able to repay the loan in time, it can buy you the breathing room you need in other situations. The important thing is to be sure you can pay the money back before you borrow it.

Here’s what you’ll need: a vehicle manufactured within the last few years, some documentation to prove that you own it, and a strategy to pay back the money in time. Then just go to a company like Embassy Loans and fill out an application. They’ll appraise your vehicle and offer you a certain amount of money in exchange for the vehicle title. You get the title back when you return the money.

Again, don’t get freaked out by this. If you have a raise coming, a debt that you can call in, or an investment that you know will pay off before the loan is due, there’s no reason not to take it out. You just have to be sure. It’s all about keeping a clear head and taking calculated risks. If you can do that, you should be just fine when taking out a title loan.