For those who don’t know me, I’m Tracee Michelle Porter. I’ve been driving a cab in Los Angeles for almost 20 years. And for those of you who do know me, you know asking for help is not exactly my favorite activity.

I’m a Black female Gen Xer. I know how to make a way out of no way and keep it moving. That’s usually me. Apparently my taxi, which I depend on to make my living, didn’t get the memo.

On Friday, September 4, I spent just over $900 getting my taxi back in shape. That included a planned strut repair, plus an alignment, an oil change, and an additional filter. The total came to $904.41.

And in true Gen X fashion, I started looking around to see where I could cut some of those costs. Thank God for Groupon. I love my mechanic, and I’m loyal to a fault, but he charges around $80 for an oil change, and I found one for less. I also found a deal on the alignment. Look, loyalty is loyalty, but when I can save a few bucks? Bump that. Every little bit counts.

That first repair was already a stretch, but I had a game plan. I used some Visa gift cards I received for my birthday, put some cash toward it, and charged the rest. I knew what I had to do to get the taxi taken care of and keep working.

I really thought I was good.

Then, no lie, exactly one week later, on Friday, September 11, my transmission went out.

Since my taxi is how I work, getting it repaired wasn’t optional. The transmission repair came to $2,800, and I had to spread it across three credit cards just to get back on the road.

When I picked up my taxi on Tuesday, my mechanic also told me I need all four motor mounts replaced. He’s giving me a huge break and replacing all four for just $100. From what I understand, that’s a pretty damn good break. But it’s still another $100 I really don’t have room for right now.

My taxi was down Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday, and most of Tuesday. I got it back Tuesday and was able to earn a little that day, but nowhere near what I normally would have earned over those five days.

I did drive Lyft while the taxi was down because I was trying to bring in something. And to add insult to injury, that was an education all by itself.

As a cab driver, I know what these rides are worth. In my taxi, I earn roughly $3 a mile. Lyft offered me around $30 or $35 to drive about 35 miles from the Valley to Oxnard. Are you kidding me? I know what a ride like that is worth, and that’s before you even start talking about gas, wear and tear, and getting yourself back from Oxnard.

And then there were the tips, or lack thereof. Over all the Lyft rides I did during those days, I think I received maybe four tips.

The next time you take a Lyft, Uber, taxi, order delivery, or use any service where someone is doing the work that makes your day easier, please tip them. Even a couple of bucks matters.

I’m raising $4,500. A little over $3,800 covers the repairs and maintenance I’ve had to handle over these two weeks, and the rest will help make up for some of the income I lost while my taxi was off the road.

And in true Gen X fashion, I have the repair receipts.

I’m not expecting anyone to cover all of this for me. Anything helps, and I truly mean that. Every contribution helps me lower those credit-card balances, make up for some of what I lost while I couldn’t work normally, and get back on steadier ground.

Asking for help is really hard for me. But when I mentioned maybe doing a GoFundMe, several friends and family members basically told me, “Girl, people got you. They love you. But the only way they can help you is if you ask.”

One of the hardest parts about asking for help is hearing no, getting no response at all, or sitting in that awkward “let me think about it” space. This way, I can put the ask out there once, and people can help if they’re able, share it if they’re not, and I don’t have to keep working up the nerve to ask over and over again.

And like my grandmother used to say, a closed mouth don’t get fed.

So here I am, opening my mouth, asking for help, and learning to accept it.

If you’re able to help, thank you in advance. And if you can’t, I completely understand. Share this within your community, send a little good energy my way, and know that I appreciate you taking the time to read this. ❤️