Lessons Learned from Mom
With Mother’s Day in May, it’s a great time to reflect on the influence that mothers have on their families. This year Mother’s Day is especially important to me because my daughter-in-law will soon be a mother for the first time!
Bill Long · May 10, 2023
Scaling our Mission
Now in its 10th year, On the Road Lending has empowered more than 1,500 families with the freedom of mobility and access to quality transportation to live their best lives. With an estimated $20,000 cost savings per family per loan, that is nearly $30,000,000 helping working families transform their futures.
Lonnie Smith · April 07, 2023
Resiliency
So here we are in March of 2023, and as a country we are divided on a lot of things. Politics, government spending, COVID, and student loan forgiveness are just a few. But there is one thing that always rings true in the U.S. that ties us together, and that is our shared resiliency. Throughout history, we have always persevered.
Read More→Bill Long · February 28, 2023
Staying Connected
As we start a new year, many of us make resolutions about what we would like to improve. As an organization, the new year gives us a chance to reflect on what we did well and what we can improve. As we work on this internally, we also will be reaching out to many of you as partners, clients, and stakeholders in our work together.
Read More→Lonnie Smith · January 27, 2023
Providing Peace of Mind
Beyond our affordable loans for reliable cars, On the Road Lending provides several additional products that offer peace of mind, help save money, and even protect cars from theft. We want every person who gets a loan with us to be successful in repaying it to either establish or reestablish their credit.
Bill Long · September 16, 2022
Why You Should Support On the Road Lending
Did you know that donating can make you feel better? A recent article in Fast Company explained that scientific studies show spending money on others feels better than splurging on ourselves and that when we give, our brain’s reward circuitry lights up more than when we receive.
Lonnie Smith · August 22, 2022
Overcoming the Unexpected
I have written before about making sure that I have savings in the bank and how my mother taught me to have discipline with spending and saving. Financial times like we’re all experiencing now prove she was wise beyond her years. With record inflation in our nation, rising costs are eating away at what we would normally have left to spend on living after our savings have been deposited.
Bill Long · July 06, 2022
A New System for Change
In high school, I was thin as a stick with boat paddles as feet as my dad would say. Growing up, my mom restricted the sweets we had in the house due to my dad having diabetes. So, when I left for college and afterwards, I went all out—Mountain Dew and Doritos was my go-to snack. Thanks to those bad habits, today I’m deemed morbidly obese. I’m working toward a goal of losing 10% of my body weight to get healthier
Read More→Lonnie Smith · June 10, 2022
Hope and Opportunity
I was downtown the other day and saw some kids from the university walking in their caps and gowns heading to grab a meal. May is truly graduation season. The scene brought back memories of my own college graduation many years ago. I remember the way I felt knowing that I was starting a new phase in my life. I was excited to be finished with school but a little scared about entering the job market with no experience.
Read More→Bill Long · May 18, 2022
Asking for Help
It’s hard to ask for help. I know firsthand the angst, sometimes shame, fear, and anxiety it can cause. All these varying crippling emotions can sometimes lead to inaction. Relatable? But it’s important to remember that reaching out for a supporting hand can be the first step toward creating positive personal or community change.
Lonnie Smith · April 11, 2022
Pay Yourself First
Growing up I knew there were many places where I could spend the money I earned from my various jobs. I also knew I would have to be a big contributor to my education due to my family’s financial circumstances. Early on I understood the concept of paying yourself first. I have my mother to thank for that.
Bill Long · January 23, 2022
Embracing Community
I recently traveled to Kansas City, my hometown, to see my family that still lives there and to celebrate my niece who will be graduating this month from Mizzou in nursing. My family home is not the same after the loss of my dad, who passed away after the 2015 holidays. But my mom, who is in her upper 70s and losing sight in one of her eyes, decorated her home for the holidays and enjoyed having the company.
Read More→Lonnie Smith · December 15, 2021
Getting You Right Side Up
Have you ever heard the phrase, “upside down on your car loan?” This means you owe more on your loan than your vehicle is worth. For example, if you have a loan with a $17,000 balance on a vehicle that only has a market value of $13,000, you have negative equity, meaning you’re $4,000 upside down on your loan.