Hi there. I’m a single mom doing everything I can to keep my kids and our home going, and I’m asking for help because I’ve reached a point where my income is no longer enough to cover what we need.

I work full time for our local government and have been there for 13 years. I’m proud to work hard and provide for my family, but the rising cost of living has made it harder and harder to stay afloat. My utilities have tripled, my car insurance has doubled, and gas and grocery costs keep climbing. I am very frugal, but a single mom income just isn’t cutting it anymore.

On top of that, I’m dealing with degenerative discs, arthritis, and osteoarthritis. I had to put medical expenses on a credit card and even take out a HELOC because I felt like I had no other option at the time. I deeply regret that choice now, but I was trying to manage what had to be paid.

This has taken a real toll on my day-to-day life. I barely sleep because I’m scared of what may happen. I try to hide that stress from my young kids, although they do know we are on a strict budget. I frame it as a lesson about needs versus wants, and they have been so good with their own money. Even so, it’s hard carrying this fear while trying to protect them and keep life as steady as possible.

Donations will help me keep up with my ongoing medical expenses and ease the debt I took on trying to cover them, while also helping me stay on top of basic household costs as prices continue to rise. Predictable recurring donations would make a real difference by helping me manage these continuing expenses month after month, and one-time donations would also mean so much right now.