A Hand Up - Doing It Right

A program helps people buy a car that will get them to work, with simple interest (because it doesn't exist anymore, that means it is never compounded so it is only charged once during the loan).  It is a brilliant way to help struggling people make it to work and keep their jobs and homes.  Credit scores are shot for a lot of folks, but mandatory financial education is part of the deal.  Borrowers must learn how to make a realistic budget and stick to it.

Eighty percent of participants are single mothers.  You know, those slutty women that the GOP doesn't want to pay the same wages as men.  Those women and their dependent children were often living on the edge of hungry, and after months of juggling bills some cars were no longer dependable, which added further worries and strain to maxed credit cards.

The article highlights the story of one woman, whose car had over 200,000 miles on it and was not reliable.  She now has a car and was able to get an entry-level position at a law firm.  Because she was able to make it to work every day, she has enjoyed several promotions and replaced a worker who had attendance problems.  Without this hand up that taught her how to manage money and get on her feet realistically, it could have been her on the block.

Faulkner says the program has generated a 90% repayment rate because most of the people really do want to work.

This is the type of creative solutions that will make a difference.  Ways To Work hopes to expand to all fifty states.  I wish them the best of luck.