Drowning in Debt

My name is Yonatan. I’m a single parent to three wonderful kids, and I am an independent contractor working with kids with special needs. Daily I visit their houses and we work on basic skills to compensate for their delays.

In Mid-August of 2022 I bought a house that I thought would be perfect for my family. The inspector told me it was in good condition and move in ready. However, since moving in I have needed to repair or replace almost every essential part; the boiler for heat and hot water, the roof, the porch and the windows a well as the front door. Additionally I had to replace the stove and refrigerator. And then I had to insulate the pipes in order for them not to freeze and burst again. I’ve also had to replace hardware in the shower so my kids would be able to take hot showers. Clearly the house needed way more work than I was told or prepared for, and it has set me back a great deal, especially because I work independently. And so while the house is now safe and warm for my children and I, I am struggling. The repairs have created monthly bills that are far higher than I can manage, and still pay my mortgage, keep the utilities going and feed my kids.

It is very hard for me to ask for help and I have struggled with asking, but I really do need help. If I could pay down some of the bills these repairs have incurred it would give me just a little bit of breathing room. The bill that worries me the most is the $7000.00 bill which I have incurred to make the porch safe. I feel that $6,000 would allow me to pay off that bill and give me a little space to breathe. But anything you can share is greatly appreciated.