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.

Elephants can’t jump. Every other mammal can.

While that may make you stop and think, isn’t it a little obvious? My sister is more than 400 pounds and she can’t jump either. But I love her.  She’s really the sweetest person. And she can still bust a move on the dance floor. Good thing if she doesn’t jump then.

My sister is also pretty smart about money. She saw our mother struggle with the bills when we were growing up, and that was tough on all of us. It was hard to do without, but even harder to endure the stress. We all work, we work hard. Two jobs usually. But sometimes there are emergencies and at first there ain’t nothing you can do about it. But you find a way. My sister found a way to get emergency money for things, like the time she had to go help her daughter in Chicago. She was in the hospital and needed help getting back in her home. So my sister went and got a car title loan to pay for her airfare there.  It was $320, and her car was worth that at Car Title Loans in Forestdale. They got her that money the next day, in time for her to get to Chicago in time.

Elephants know how to dance too. They just don’t do it with money like my sister.