Kaitlyn Szabo
Efforts in Clay County to Fight Payday Loans
In Clay County, Moorhead City Councilwoman Heidi Durand says it’s certainly time to STOP allowing payday loans with triple-digit interest rates. She asked the city’s Human Rights Commission Wednesday, Feb. 19, to support state legislation that would severely reduce interest rates or to back a possible city plan to limit rates. Durand said the “working Read more Efforts in Clay County to Fight Payday Loans
COVID-19 Update and Resources
IMPORTANT PROGRAM UPDATE FOR CURRENT PARTICIPANTS Before we dive into helpful resources, here is an important message for our current program participants. In light of the recent COVID-19 pandemic, we recognize that many Minnesotans may be facing financial uncertainty. For this reason, we are offering you the option to defer your April and May payments. Read more COVID-19 Update and Resources
March 2020 COVID-19 Update
In light of the COVID-19 outbreak and its implications, we wanted to share an update on how Exodus Lending is responding to the crisis and how you can help our efforts. Since we know that this crisis financially impacts all in our community, we expect to see an uptick in the number of Minnesotans seeking Read more March 2020 COVID-19 Update
March 2020 Update
Learning from Our Participants Last month, we hosted our first listening session with program participants, with the hopes of learning how to improve our current and future systems. In a small group setting, several participants shared their honest opinions of their experiences with our program. We are incredibly honored to work with such thoughtful, passionate Read more March 2020 Update
Chelsea’s Story
We recently reached out to our participants and recent graduates in order to invite them to a participant-led listening session. There was much excitement from participants, like Chelsea, to attend because they were eager to share their experience. Similarly to thousands of Minnesotans, Chelsea struggled to pay off her payday loans. “I was very relieved Read more Chelsea’s Story
50/30/20 Budget
The 50/30/20 budget breaks down all your expenses into three broad categories: needs, wants, and savings. For budgeting beginners or those looking to avoid tracking every single transaction, this method can simplify personal money management in the present while still preparing for future needs and wants through savings. First, allocate 50% of your income to Read more 50/30/20 Budget
February 2020 Update
Payday Lending in Minnesota Payday lending should be illegal. That’s what we’ve been preaching for years. Why? Because lenders intentionally design their products to trap individuals experiencing financial hardship. Unfortunately for Minnesotans, payday lending is legal in Minnesota. Why? Because our elected officials in Minnesota allow it to be. Fortunately, we have the power to Read more February 2020 Update
How to Improve Your Credit
While limited credit access is a systemic issue, it is still important that individuals take small steps whenever possible to improve their credit. Here are four steps you can take to start this process. Step 1: Read Your Report Once you understand the difference between credit scores and credit reports, request your credit report from Read more How to Improve Your Credit
January 2020 Update
2019 Growth Thank you for helping make 2019 a huge success! This time last year, our team set a lofty goal to help 150 Minnesotans, a 50% increase from 2018. We’re thrilled to share that we hit that goal with 151 enrollments in 2019 – an all-time high! With this sustained growth, we’ve also hit Read more January 2020 Update
Talking with Family and Friends about Money
At Exodus Lending, we believe in the power of story-telling. Sharing your story is compelling – even if it’s a little scary. But talking about money? Downright terrifying. Money is one of the most challenging topics of conversation. But there is power in speaking up, and these strategies can help you begin talking about money Read more Talking with Family and Friends about Money