Life has a way of throwing unexpected curveballs, and for me, one of the biggest came in the form of a dying car. Like many people, I rely on my vehicle for everything – getting to work, running errands, just navigating daily life. When it finally gave out, I had no choice but to take out a personal loan for $16,000 to get a newer, reliable car. What I didn't anticipate was how much that loan, combined with existing financial struggles, would weigh me down.

Looking back, a lot of my debt stems from a profound lack of financial knowledge, a common challenge when you grow up in a poor family that struggled with money. There weren't lessons on saving or budgeting; it was more about just getting by. Because of this, I developed a habit of helping people close to me whenever they needed anything, often putting others needs before my own financial well-being. That generosity, while well-intentioned, left me with a credit score under 600 and my mountain of debt that feels impossible to climb. For the past five years, I've tried everything: consolidating debt (but the interest rates with those were crushing), working side hustles like DoorDash, and pushing myself to find higher-paying jobs. I'm now making $20 an hour, the most I ever have, but even that is barely enough to cover my monthly bills. There's simply nothing left to get ahead, to save, or to invest in myself. I pay my credit card only to use it again for groceries, and it feels like a never-ending cycle.

The constant struggle has taken a toll. I try to stay positive, but lately, it feels like I'm drowning. I'm rarely happy anymore because every single day feels like an uphill battle. This isn't the life I envision for myself. I've spent years trying to get my finances under control, and it feels like every time I start making headway, something happens that throws off the whole budget or plan. I can't keep doing that. If I could just get out from under this personal loan, imagine the possibilities! That extra money would open doors to Coursera classes or part-time schooling, allowing me to gain new skills, secure a better-paying job, and finally fix my credit score. It would mean not having to rely on my mom and boyfriend for little things like gas or dinner – because they really can't afford to help me, but they do what they can – and instead, having the mental space to breathe and build a better future. I'm exhausted from side hustles that lead to burnout, and just feel stuck. Asking strangers for help is incredibly difficult, but I'm at a point where I don't know what else to do. I'm humbly reaching out, hoping for a chance to finally break free and build the stable life I want & need.

Thank you for taking the time to read & helping if you can. Just as I'm hopeful here, I hope good things happen for you too!

Samantha K