Everyone’s talking about the economic crisis, and I think we all have our own stories to share about this. But I like to point out how little things make a big difference. For example, remember how American Airlines saved $40,000 in 1987 by eliminating one olive from each salad served in first-class.

So this is a time to think creatively. It may not look to most people who see our house and cars and the neighborhood we live in in Trussville that we needed an emergency loan late last year. But we did. Because we didn’t have a lot of credit available – but we had two cars, both paid for.

I needed $5000, so my wife and I went to Car Title Loans in Trussville. It’s a way to use what you own, not unlike a home equity loan, to borrow cash. I got the money in two days and took care of a special money need pronto. I have talked to friends and family from all around –  in Birmingham, Mountain Brook, McDonald Chapel, Edgewater, Cahaba Heights, Mount Olive – and they all know and use the same method.  The internet has made this a viable option.

I think we worry about the wrong things. For example, more people are killed by donkeys annually than are killed in plane crashes. And more people are killed by church picnic tuna salads (from salmonella poisoning) than shark attacks.

We also worry about money too much, and about how to solve problems. Certainly, we spend more than we should on things that don’t matter. Because every now and then, something will come up and slap you in the face to make you realize how pointless materials and perceptions are.

We ran into a money problem last year that really had me wondering how I would buy food that month, despite the beautiful home and cars and pool we have. It was a cash shortfall, based on a problem with one of our children. I looked at my husband and just said, “What are we going to do?” He didn’t know.

I talked to my sister in Atlanta and she told me she once borrowed $5000 against her Lexus when they had a problem.  Well, I went online and looked for car title loans, and sure enough I found Car Title Loans in Mountain Brook. I didn’t have to go anywhere – I just filled out the forms online in about 15 minutes, and got approval 15 minutes later, and the money the next day. We needed $4000.

I’d do that again, anytime necessary.  I hope it won’t happen for a long time, but it’s good to know it’s there as a backup.

I’m not sure how they figured this out, but I heard on the radio that the average human eats eight spiders in their lifetime at night.

On my diet, that has implications.

I’m a bariatric surgery patient.  We’re only allowed to eat small meals. So the spider thing actually works. Usually, I eat two bites of something and that’s it. I had the operation done three months ago and I’ve already 40 pounds, with 120 to go.

My insurance company from work wouldn’t pay for the surgery, even though I think it will make me healthier in the long run. But that’s insurance for you. I had to lose that weight. My granddaughter is two and I couldn’t babysit her, she was more than I could handle.

So where did I find the money? I went to Car Title Loans in Gardendale. They are a car pawn shop, but it doesn’t really work that way.  You keep your car, you just supply title information through the internet on their website. It’s great, you get the money in one day. I needed $4000 and my car was worth that and more.

The money is making me healthier, even if a few spiders crawl into my mouth once in a while!