I am definitely not a hypochondriac.  In fact, if it was up to me, I’d almost never go to the doctor. But my brother died of colon cancer at age 43, so I’m told to have colonoscopies every three or four years.

 I’m 55 now and had my last one in 2003.  They found six polyps in that one.  That was during the good old days of working in a job with medical insurance. But I changed jobs after a layoff, and my new employer doesn’t provide that benefit.  I’m part of the 45 million people who just hope that nothing happens.  At my age and with my history, a policy that would cost $200 a month carries a $5000 deductible, and the colonoscopy would cost at least $2600.

Several financial challenges have already come my way in the last two years.  So I have bad credit and no cushion.

I woke up in the middle of the night one night after a dream about my brother.  I went online, searching for medical information, then looking at the costs, then looking for fast cash.  I knew this was bugging me and I had to get the colonoscopy done.  That’s when I realized my truck could be the ticket.  It’s value was $4000 at Atlanta Car Title Loans, which was more than I even needed.  So I used their online application, which took 20 minutes. I was approved in an hour, then called my doctor.  The money landed in my bank account the next day.  

Good news: no polyps.  I realized how stressed I had been after that.   Despite the economy, I’m looking for a better job with benefits again.  Title car loans in these circumstances are a good in-between strategy.

- Dantrell F.