Help Dave Potter Keep the Heat On

I'm Dave Potter, a former professional video game developer who recently moved from Northern California back to where I grew up, East Tennessee, after I could no longer make ends meet in California.

First and foremost, thanks once again to everyone who donated to my previous GoFundMe that helped me make that move, driving across the country in my stalwart little car (pictured, in our first snow of the season, glad I beat it home)! I only used rest stops along the way, but you paid for my food and gas! I couldn't have done it without you!

Next, some good news! I've found a new job, and the pay is very solid, especially for this area!

But now the bad news, and the reason I must reach out again for financial help. 2023 and 2024 have been very bad years for me, I've lost so much since my dad passed away last year.

I've worked hard to be an independent person since I first moved away from home (but stayed local) in January of 1989, starting my second semester of college at East Tennessee State University, paying for the entirety of my degree myself by earning scholarships. I've made few major purchases and held onto them as long as I could (see again my only car, the 1994 Toyota Tercel pictured, bought brand new), and when I was doing well, I saved and invested. I never thought in my later life I'd have to ask for financial help.

But today my life's savings is finally exhausted, plus I lost about three-quarters of everything I owned when I was effectively evicted in California with no way to move or store my things. I'm in a financial bind until I start my new job and get my first paycheck.

And the problem is, that's a ways away. Sort of ironically, because of Thanksgiving, the earliest my new work can start me in a paid training period is Monday, December 9. I've let them know I'm willing to start sooner, but an earlier training period starting on December 2 is booked solid with new hires (I've also asked them to let me know if anyone drops out). While I have to double-check, I believe my new job pays weekly. So, sort of ironically again, my next payday is Friday, December 13. Sometimes 13 is lucky, and I'm very thankful for my new job, but I wish it wasn't delayed by the holiday where we're thankful for things! And I love Thanksgiving!

I very much need help keeping up with personal expenses until then, such as food, home and car insurance (the new job is 45 minutes away), power, water, phone, and internet. Cutting back on groceries as much as I can, my monthly cost of living here is about $750 after taxes, a big change from California. So I'm setting a fundraising goal of $1000 to cover some previous and current expenses until my first payday.

Anything you can donate is so, so greatly appreciated, thank you for your help! I hope this is my very last GoFundMe. I'm excited to get back to work and get some stability back in my life!

Thanks for reading!