Salad Money Impact Report 22-23 WEB - Flipbook - Page 15
LUCY’S LESSONS
DRIVE £10K
PAY RISE
I’ve always tried to be sensible with money” says Lucy,
who works on digital transformation projects in Wales.
“I’m earning a bit more now, but
even before I got promoted, I used to
keep a little bit of my pay aside to try
to build up some savings.” But those
savings quite didn’t go far enough
when she decided to take driving
lessons in 2022.
“And they said they don’t use credit
scores, so I thought I might stand a
chance of being accepted. I knew
I could a昀昀ord it, but there are lots
of companies out there that make
you feel ashamed if you have a bad
credit score. It was really di昀昀erent.
“I’d been working at the council for
10 years,” she says, “and I earned
around £25,000. But I knew there
were jobs I could do which would
pay more, which I could do if I could
travel.”
“As a single parent I’ve always paid
my rent on time, I’ve never missed
a payment. But that doesn’t get
re昀氀ected in my credit score, which
I’ve been trying to build back up.
She researched loans with much
caution. “I was really worried
because my credit score was awful
and I was re-building it following an
abusive relationship a few years ago.
“But I had a look at Salad who were
recommended through another
website. It said they are tailor-made
for people in the NHS and public
sector, and I liked the fact they said
it was all done on a fair process
where they can actually see whether
or not you can a昀昀ord the payments
because of Open Banking.
2022-2023 Impact Report
“When I was accepted for the loan
I booked my driving lessons and I
passed my test. Because of that I
could apply for my dream job at the
council, and I got it!
“This was one of the best and most
sensible decisions I ever made to get
this loan at that time. I absolutely
love my job, and I get paid nearly
£10,000 per year more.
“I wish public transport was better
but the only way I can do this job
and get to and from work, and look
after my child, is by driving to work
on the motorway. It’s opened up a
whole new world for me.
“My credit score is getting better at
last – it’s up 137 points this month
alone – and I probably won’t need
another loan. But it was such a
relief to be treated like a human
being instead of feeling judged and
overcharged. For anyone who is in
the position I was, try a lender like
Salad.”
It was such a relief
to be treated like
a human being
instead of feeling
judged and
overcharged.
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