Evyn & Raina's Epic Quest to Pay Bills
Donation protected
In five years the world can change dramatically. Ireland legalized same-sex marriage in 2015. In 2016 we saw the birth of the Trump administration. 2017 gifted us with the Nintendo Switch. 2018 and 19 saw the longest lunar eclipse of the 21st century and the second case of sustained remission of HIV, respectively. 2020, well, we’re all still living with the realities of this year.
Over that time, I began my medical transition, got divorced, earned a master’s degree, was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder and Celiac Disease, and started a relationship with the best partner I could ever ask for. I also watched Evan grow into his own, escaping multiple toxic relationships, earn a promotion to Staff Sgt in the USAF, rediscover his spiritual and creative endeavors, partake on his own journey of transition, and most recently, separate from the military.
There is one thing I didn’t do in that half decade. I never found job. Sure, I did minor freelance resume writing, but $100 every four weeks doesn’t help much. For the most part, Evan and I made financial ends meet. Recently, some things have changed. For most of that time I had help from family, but I excised them from my life due to…well, let’s just say some people really hate BLM.
Additionally, with Evan separating from the military, his pay has dropped sharply, his new job has limited hours, and additional job openings are scarce. On top of that thanks to his former supervisor and a general lackadaisical attitude of his former leadership, his disability applications for multiple permanent health problems (hip and foot injuries where surgery was required) were set back months. We also just moved to the Vancouver/Portland area in what can only be described as a run of comically bad luck.
Apartments would suddenly vanish despite our application/holding fee but new ones would appear at a higher price by that same landlord, applications would go through an entire one-to-two week long process with all fees paid and suddenly we made too much to even apply in the first place, and there was a whole lot of getting run around by landlords and leasing companies (the worst being four thirty minute back and forth drives in one day because the company only accepted faxed paperwork and failed to send the right information multiple times). The near month-and-a-half delay horribly drained our savings and led to us moving into an expensive apartment we never wanted. Even so, we were happy to make the move and get our life back in gear. That obviously didn’t happen as Covid-19 essentially shut down the economy within mere weeks of us moving. That extra multi-month pause where no one was hiring depleted what little finances we had left.
To sum it up, we desperately need help.
We have enough money to barely make it through this month. What we need is breathing room and time. Money would give us both of those things. If we had an extra 1-2 months where we could pay bills and job search without fear of eviction, loss of electricity, car repossession, etc., it could make a world of difference.
For an approximate break down:
• Two car payments (one overly large and undeferrable due to a predatory loan holder)
o Raina: $260
o Evan: $350 (plus a partial payment of $245)
• One insurance payment (maybe two after the exit of the aforementioned family member whom had insisted on paying it previously)
o R: $140 auto/renters
o E: $113 car insurance
• Phone bills
o R: $65
o E: $45
• Rent (exorbitantly high for the apartment provided)
o $972.50
• Electricity
o $80
• Internet
o $100
• Credit card payments (one of which the bank closed, making it unusable and just another mounting bill)
o R: $110 (closed) & $45
o E: $75
Based on our current finances, credit juggling, etc., the goal of $2700 would cover the above and hopefully give enough additional funds for food, gas, PPE for interviews, etc., for July and August. We are happily taking donations past that amount though as every penny helps. Getting through September would put us closer around the $4300 mark.
In the end, this is planning for the worst and unfortunately, most likely outcome, where the numerous job applications we have out there turn up nothing. I have two higher education positions and Evan has several customer service posts we’re waiting for word on, but in this economy it's unlikely we'll hear back. Those are of course along with our countless other applications and resumes we’ve sent out.
I know we’re asking for a lot and most importantly, we’re asking for it during a time when other groups need it; when visibility HAS to be on them more than anything. BLM protest bail funds, black content creators and business owners, etc., are what and who NEED to be at the forefront of media at the moment. Unfortunately, we’ve run out of time and have to ask for your attention, your help...your support, right now. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns please feel free to contact me MillerIan1971 at Gmail.com, DM me on Facebook (Raina Lyn Miller) or Twitter (@Notes_By_Raina), or Evan at EvynMBurch at Gmail.com or Facebook (Evan Burch).
Thank you so much for your time, and if you’re able, your donation. Stay safe out there,
Raina Miller & Evan Burch
Over that time, I began my medical transition, got divorced, earned a master’s degree, was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder and Celiac Disease, and started a relationship with the best partner I could ever ask for. I also watched Evan grow into his own, escaping multiple toxic relationships, earn a promotion to Staff Sgt in the USAF, rediscover his spiritual and creative endeavors, partake on his own journey of transition, and most recently, separate from the military.
There is one thing I didn’t do in that half decade. I never found job. Sure, I did minor freelance resume writing, but $100 every four weeks doesn’t help much. For the most part, Evan and I made financial ends meet. Recently, some things have changed. For most of that time I had help from family, but I excised them from my life due to…well, let’s just say some people really hate BLM.
Additionally, with Evan separating from the military, his pay has dropped sharply, his new job has limited hours, and additional job openings are scarce. On top of that thanks to his former supervisor and a general lackadaisical attitude of his former leadership, his disability applications for multiple permanent health problems (hip and foot injuries where surgery was required) were set back months. We also just moved to the Vancouver/Portland area in what can only be described as a run of comically bad luck.
Apartments would suddenly vanish despite our application/holding fee but new ones would appear at a higher price by that same landlord, applications would go through an entire one-to-two week long process with all fees paid and suddenly we made too much to even apply in the first place, and there was a whole lot of getting run around by landlords and leasing companies (the worst being four thirty minute back and forth drives in one day because the company only accepted faxed paperwork and failed to send the right information multiple times). The near month-and-a-half delay horribly drained our savings and led to us moving into an expensive apartment we never wanted. Even so, we were happy to make the move and get our life back in gear. That obviously didn’t happen as Covid-19 essentially shut down the economy within mere weeks of us moving. That extra multi-month pause where no one was hiring depleted what little finances we had left.
To sum it up, we desperately need help.
We have enough money to barely make it through this month. What we need is breathing room and time. Money would give us both of those things. If we had an extra 1-2 months where we could pay bills and job search without fear of eviction, loss of electricity, car repossession, etc., it could make a world of difference.
For an approximate break down:
• Two car payments (one overly large and undeferrable due to a predatory loan holder)
o Raina: $260
o Evan: $350 (plus a partial payment of $245)
• One insurance payment (maybe two after the exit of the aforementioned family member whom had insisted on paying it previously)
o R: $140 auto/renters
o E: $113 car insurance
• Phone bills
o R: $65
o E: $45
• Rent (exorbitantly high for the apartment provided)
o $972.50
• Electricity
o $80
• Internet
o $100
• Credit card payments (one of which the bank closed, making it unusable and just another mounting bill)
o R: $110 (closed) & $45
o E: $75
Based on our current finances, credit juggling, etc., the goal of $2700 would cover the above and hopefully give enough additional funds for food, gas, PPE for interviews, etc., for July and August. We are happily taking donations past that amount though as every penny helps. Getting through September would put us closer around the $4300 mark.
In the end, this is planning for the worst and unfortunately, most likely outcome, where the numerous job applications we have out there turn up nothing. I have two higher education positions and Evan has several customer service posts we’re waiting for word on, but in this economy it's unlikely we'll hear back. Those are of course along with our countless other applications and resumes we’ve sent out.
I know we’re asking for a lot and most importantly, we’re asking for it during a time when other groups need it; when visibility HAS to be on them more than anything. BLM protest bail funds, black content creators and business owners, etc., are what and who NEED to be at the forefront of media at the moment. Unfortunately, we’ve run out of time and have to ask for your attention, your help...your support, right now. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns please feel free to contact me MillerIan1971 at Gmail.com, DM me on Facebook (Raina Lyn Miller) or Twitter (@Notes_By_Raina), or Evan at EvynMBurch at Gmail.com or Facebook (Evan Burch).
Thank you so much for your time, and if you’re able, your donation. Stay safe out there,
Raina Miller & Evan Burch
Organizer and beneficiary
Raina Miller
Organizer
Vancouver, WA
Evan Burch
Beneficiary