So I am at work yesterday, and the strangest series of events happened.

First, a girl called because she wanted to borrow $3500.00. I was going over the details of the loan and her interest rate would end up being about 28.99%. With the interest plus the insurance, her total re-payment would come to about $6400.00.. So she would end up paying back almost double. She was so shocked she just sat on the phone in silence. That is the hardest part of my job.

Next, I talked to my boss about it a bit. I told him it was difficult for me morally to book loans as high as 35.99% to people who didn't really have much money. It could more or less end up hurting them in the end. I see people go bankrupt in this small town regularly and it really hurts me. I try not to take work home with me, but sometimes it's hard!

So as soon as my boss and I stopped talking about it, I picked up the phone to call a customer. I have a certain sales target I have to hit this month and the pressure is on, so every second counts. He answered the phone (We'll call him Bill), and I said "Hi there Bill, how are you? This is Michelle calling from _______." He immediately said, "Your interest rates are outrageous." I told him I was just calling to thank him for paying his current account with us so well, and he said he would never borrow from us again. He said that we were conducting "devious business practices" and that we were one of the biggest reasons the economy is in such a big devastation. He said, "I can tell you are a very nice girl, and it is probably difficult for you morally to do what you do for a living. You're smart, I think you should seriously consider printing off your resume and going elsewhere to work. I went through a very difficult divorce. It was hard on us financially, and although I was lucky, my ex wife ended up having to file for bankruptcy. " It's companies like the one you work for that are ruining the lives of so many people.

I left the call in tears, and in all honesty I couldn't even control it. I think it was because I agreed with what he was saying. Maybe not all of it, but I do agree that our company causes more hurt than help. I also agree that it is not something I see myself doing 10 years down the road. I see people go bankrupt who seemed to have it all. It definitely makes me thankful for what I have now, though. And right now I am currently trying to finish my nutrition course in my spare time, but I am so swamped with work it is tough!


Can't wait to go for a run with Dee tonight! Other items on my weekend to-do list include housework, helping to paint some chairs at my moms place, and a bonfire Saturday night too!