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Running on Empty – Literally …

Monday, August 3, 2009 This past Saturday, during errands I stopped to gas up my vehicle and was approached by a man in need of extra money for gas... The man was on his way home from work and ran out of gas - he pushed his truck into to the station. He had a gas can and asked me for enough money to get a gallon of gas so that he could get home. At first I was cautious, anyone would be in a city this size but, I listened. Feeling the need to justify why he needed money, he told me his name was Scott, that he worked as a cook (at a place I will just call "The Burger Joint"- it is a large QSR with about a 1000 store footprint) and that he made minimum wage and payday was not until next Friday. So he had no money, at all, for gas. I was quickly fumbling through my wallet to look for any cash I might have - a rare thing for me - and located $8, all I had in cash, and gave it to him. I never questioned him - just told him I was happy to help. While I could tell Scott was embarrassed to ask, he was extremely grateful, and told me to come see him at "The Burger Joint" and he would make me the best hamburger I would ever eat. Repeatedly he thanked me - as I drove away, he literally yelled "thank you" again. I take it for granted - my access to credit. It is so easy for me to put my Visa credit card into a gas pump, fill up my tank and go. To Scott, that was not and may not ever be an option - it was obvious he was cash based and had no access to credit. However, with a PaychekPLUS! Payroll Card From FSV, Scott could have a micro line of credit available to him - if he needed $20 to fill up his tank, he could make a quick phone call and have the money within a matter of minutes - enough to get him what he needed until his next payday and quite frankly, maintain his pride. Payroll cards from FSV Payment Systems are the best way for companies to save money, streamline payroll, improve efficiencies - I could go on and on. BUT for employees, the benefits are even greater when they have access to all the features of the card - including the line of credit. Some employers are afraid employees will get into debt if an option for credit is available. With Scott's story and hundreds of thousands of other stories, it's not about the "cycle of debt", it is about needs - and the ability to access a line of credit on a payroll card can fulfill that need. I plan on having that "best burger I will ever eat" next week. A small way for me to say "thank you" to Scott for reminding me not to take things in my life for granted. Deneka Scott Senior Vice President

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