I can't imagine how this is going to work because it seems there are so many of us who are the "working poor", but since I can't see any other sources of extra income in the near future, I'm giving this a shot. I figure if there's one generous person out there who picks me this holiday season, things might start looking up.
I'm a single mom of two, one with a disability. I've always been employed in the best job I could find without a degree and have purchased three houses and four vehicles on my own, but for the past year, I haven't been able to keep up with the mounting bills, some are from the house, some are medical, and gas prices are killing me. Collectors are starting to call and I don't even answer the phone because I have nothing extra to give them. If I talk to them and try to offer a payment plan I can afford, it's never good enough, but you can't get blood out of a turnip, right? I don't have a degree and have attempted to go back to school twice, but it's always so exhausting to work full time and go to school in the evenings. It also keeps me away from my kids and forces my oldest to have to stay home with my youngest. That's no life for a teenager.
I've had to go on a repayment plan with my mortgage company twice so I don't lose my house, but when you do that, the payment is higher each time. I know they'll keep doing it because they don't want my house on their books, but I need to get back down to my regular payment. It's a buyer's market where I live, and since my house is a repo that's not finished, I wouldn't get what it's worth if I tried to sell it. I might get enough to pay off the bills, but I would also end up having to rent again because with my credit, no one would give me a loan. I'd be lucky to even be able to rent anything.
I've managed to get by for 17 years on my own, but just in the last year have things started to go downhill. I don't do drugs, I don't drink, and I rarely afford myself luxuries that other people have every day. My kids aren't spoiled, but they don't usually go without because of my financial problems. That's not fair to them. However, I've recently started having to borrow from my own son just to avoid bouncing checks.
I also met a guy who might finally be the one, but I'm afraid my financial problems will scare him away. Usually it's my son's disability that scares them away, which is part of why I've been single for so long. This one doesn't seem to be bothered by it. I need about $10K to get all of the collectors paid off, pay a couple of car payments and get ahead and so that if things work out between us, he's not affected by my financial problems. I have no savings and no retirement plan and no family I can borrow from. They say you should have three months of income set aside for emergencies, but that's just not possible. I'm about to hit rock bottom and don't know where else to turn.
If there's anyone out there who wants to know that they're not just throwing their money away and that they really are providing quality of life for a couple of awesome kids, please contact me. I'm tired of telling my kids that we can't do something or go somewhere because I don't have the money for it.
Eventually I'd like to start my own business doing home repairs, so I would be happy to pay you back by doing some work for you. Thanks for reading.
