My gas service was cut off in September when I fell behind in the bills.  I’ll need a $250 deposit to get the service tuned back on.  I had already been living without a microwave since it broke in 2006.

Losing my job in April is what started the problem.  I got a new job in October, but was unemployed all those months.  The bills piled up and I just couldn’t pay them. I earned really bad credit, which rules out getting a credit card anywhere.  A car repair set me back another $600, which I had to borrow from a cousin – but try getting to work or looking for work without a car. The gas service deposit would just have to wait.

But I found a convection-microwave oven at the WalMart on Gunbarrel Road for $190.  This would replace my need for gas or a regular microwave – you can cook most foods in them like with a conventional oven.  Even a smaller Thanksgiving turkey.

But I still needed about $200 for that microwave. Where would it come from when I am trying to catch up on other bills?  I went online and looked for “Christmas loans” and “fast cash” and “are car title loans available in Chattanooga?” when I stumbled on Car Title Loans in Chattanooga.  They said my Dodge pickup (paid off two years ago) could get me a loan for more than $200.  The application was easy, fast and I didn’t have to stand in line in a store (online application took 18 minutes). The cash was sent electronically to my bank account the next morning.  The first night I made chicken drumsticks and onions –  so much tastier with my recipe than Chick-Fil-A.

Loans on car title work well when your car is paid for.  I’m even planning a small Christmas dinner for some friends this year.

- Gene H.

By the way Chattanooga is near Red Blank, East Ridge, Harrison, Condra, and Whitwell.