Paying off debt can be stressful, and it’s almost never as easy as you think it’s going to be. Saving money when you owe money can seem utterly futile, and even if you’re knowledgeable with money, there are always unexpected challenges. Emergencies and accidents happen. Bad luck affects everybody. Murphy’s Law is prone to rear its ugly head without so much as a dash of provocation. You know the drill, and the drill is exhausting.

Sometimes you almost break even, and all you need is a small amount of money to settle a longstanding debt or get you through to the next payday. In these cases, the feeling of being so close and yet so far can be even more frustrating than the debt itself. It may seem like there’s no solution—no way for you to secure the money you need. What you may not have considered are car title loans.

A title loan is typically a short term loan where the borrower (you) uses their vehicle as collateral. Simply put, you hand over the hard copy of your vehicle title in exchange for a loan, and when you repay the loan, you get it back. Of course, if you fail to repay the loan, the lender can take possession of your vehicle, which is no good. However, if you use a title loan correctly, it’s an easy way to get the money you need in the short term since it can be done quickly. Embassy Loans, a major title loan company, can usually get your money to you within a few days of filling out an application, as long as you have the correct documentation and can prove that you own the car. This quick turnaround time can help you avoid emergencies or get out of time-sensitive financial jams.

Title loans are also easier to get than most other loans, which may be difficult to obtain if you have iffy credit. However, you can use a title loan to pay off other debt, thereby increasing your credit rating and making you eligible for other kinds of loans in the future. Title loans are often a great way for people in financial trouble to buy themselves some time. You just have to be careful about how you use them. With the right strategies in place, though, a title loan could give you exactly the time and breathing room you need to start getting back on your feet again.