Ms. Dottie Blesse This is Me

 Web References

1. 1. Payday Loans

   loans.loansaver.org/payday-loa - [Cached]

   Published on: 1/1/2005   Last Visited: 3/28/2006

   "When I first started working here, we monitored a little over 15 of these businesses directly off base," said Dottie Blesse, personal finance manager at the Family Support Center, "now the number has become so high we don,t bother to count."
   
   Skeptics believe that if there were no need for these businesses they would go away; however, even with higher pay and bonuses, Hill Airmen and personnel throughout the Armed Forces head to these places for some quick cash. Airmen and base civilians alike turn to loan establishments for money to purchase just about anything. But buyer beware - with high interest rates, these contracts can easily send an un-expecting signer into a spiral of higher debt without ever paying the original balance. "The annual percentage rate can vary," said Ms. Blesse who says she has seen annual interest rates from 200-1368 percent, "the current local average is about 586 percent from what I,ve seen."
   ...
   Ms. Blesse has been witness to people that have taken out loans to pay off the interest on another loan. The advent of online cash loan sites has greatly complicated the application of law to these contracts. Users must pay particular attention to the state that the contract is written in as it will greatly affect the percentage rate, renewal period and other details influencing the additional cost of the loan, Ms. Blesse said. To help Airmen in this seemingly never ending payment trap or to prevent them from starting it, the Financial Management and Aid section of the Family Support Center offers assistance.
   
   "Our job is to make people aware of these businesses and show the Air Force offers alternatives," Ms. Blesse said. She also offers this advice that can help an individual immediately in their financial responsibilities: "Write things down," she says, "keep track of where you are spending your money.

2. 2. Hilltop Times - Resolutions take courage, will power

   www.hilltoptimes.com/story.asp - [Cached]

   Published on: 1/6/2005   Last Visited: 1/6/2005

   After tracking expenses, Dottie Blesse, FSC personal financial manager, can help create a spending plan to reduce excess credit card debt and teach efficient money management.
   
   Ms. Blesse recommends tracking expenses for at least two weeks as a good first step for anyone resolving to get out of debt.
   
   ,Write down everything to the last dime,, she says. ,Double mocha lattes everyday, add up. First you have to realize where your money goes, then make choices if you are still going to make frivolous purchases or use that money to pay off debt.,
   
   Going completely without indulgences can make sticking to the plan difficult, so Ms. Blesse suggests that once a month or once a payday allow a splurge , not a cruise, but dinner and movie.

3. 3. Hilltop Times - Payday loans increasing

   www.hilltoptimes.com/story.asp - [Cached]

   Published on: 5/20/2004   Last Visited: 6/26/2004

   "When I first started working here, we monitored a little over 15 of these businesses directly off base," said Dottie Blesse, personal finance manager at the Family Support Center, "now the number has become so high we don't bother to count."
   
   Skeptics believe that if there were no need for these businesses they would go away; however, even with higher pay and bonuses, Hill Airmen and personnel throughout the Armed Forces head to these places for some quick cash.
   
   Airmen and base civilians alike turn to loan establishments for money to purchase just about anything. But buyer beware - with high interest rates, these contracts can easily send an un-expecting signer into a spiral of higher debt without ever paying the original balance.
   
   "The annual percentage rate can vary," said Ms. Blesse who says she has seen annual interest rates from 200-1368 percent, "the current local average is about 586 percent from what I've seen."
   ...
   Ms. Blesse has been witness to people that have taken out loans to pay off the interest on another loan.
   
   The advent of online cash loan sites has greatly complicated the application of law to these contracts. Users must pay particular attention to the state that the contract is written in as it will greatly affect the percentage rate, renewal period and other details influencing the additional cost of the loan, Ms. Blesse said.
   
   To help Airmen in this seemingly never ending payment trap or to prevent them from starting it, the Financial Management and Aid section of the Family Support Center offers assistance.
   
   "Our job is to make people aware of these businesses and show the Air Force offers alternatives," Ms. Blesse said.
   
   She also offers this advice that can help an individual immediately in their financial responsibilities: "Write things down," she says, "keep track of where you are spending your money.