Over the past few months, I’ve experienced misfortune after misfortune. In September, I was in a car accident that left my front bumper smashed in. Just a couple weeks ago, someone rear-ended my vehicle, essentially totaling it. Because my car was a salvage title, the insurance payout was virtually nothing. To make matters worse, while I was using a rental car provided by the other driver’s insurance, someone hit the rental while it was parked in front of my apartment complex and drove off. Now, I’m responsible for damages to the rental (totaling an estimated $1,500 which is more than half of what I received for my totaled car), my car is totaled, and my bank account is in the red. It honestly feels like I’m living in a nightmare, with one setback after another.

I’m hoping to raise enough to cover the costs of the rental car damages, get a reliable used car, and get back on my feet. I drive a lot for work, and having dependable transportation is essential for me to keep my job and move forward. Over the past year, I’ve had to replace a radiator, battery, two front tires, and more—these constant repairs are part of why I’m struggling financially. I just need a chance to get ahead and stop worrying about how I’ll get to work each day.

I know I’ve asked for help before, and it’s not easy to do so again. I want everyone to know how much I appreciate any support, whether it’s a donation or simply sharing my story. I also understand that many of my friends are struggling too, so there’s absolutely no pressure. Thank you for anything you can do to help—I am truly grateful.

My goal is to raise enough funds to buy a reliable used car pretty much outright- I’m not in a position financially where I can justify a car payment, at least not a large one, so this is why my goal is so high. I’m tired of going through car after car every other year, and right now all I can afford is a $1,500 beater. I just can’t mentally handle the stress of having a car that is pretty much guaranteed to crap out before I make back the value of it, and I can’t afford having to make repair after repair essentially exceeding the cost of the car itself. I’m so behind.

I am hoping to be able to get a used car in the 2016-2018 range. I have done and plan on continuing to do ample research to make sure it’s a model that is affordable, reliable, the parts are cheap, insurance isn’t crazy, and it’s going to last me quite a while. I have my eyes on a Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, or Subaru Crosstrek with these factors taken into account- just to be clear, the money you invest in me will be used appropriately and effectively. Ideally, for timeline, I’d like to have enough to get a new car by March of this year.

Thank you all again for supporting me, I am so, so grateful!