Hi, I'm Jen. My family and I (myself, my spouse, our adult child, and our 7 year old granddaughter, who we have custody and guardianship of) relocated to California last April, when my spouse's company moved us out here. Then, my spouse's contract ended the first week of October of this year. We were both working full-time and now, we're trying to scrape by on only my salary. We were managing with two salaries, but I just don't make enough for all our expenses.

They received a job offer, with the expected start date of November 13th. Then, it was pushed to January 2024. They're trying to find something in the meantime, but with all the tech layoffs, it's an incredibly competitive market.

Another complication: when we signed our lease renewal in summer, we were told we had to move by the end of the year, as the owner of the house we're living in has family who will be moving in. We have signed a new lease, paid our deposit, the 1st month's rent, cost of a moving truck, and everything that goes with moving, but we're short on a few bills including January's rent, car insurance, our storage (which we will be able to close out once we pay off and can get the last of our stuff out, which can happen with one payment), and groceries until I get paid next.

I know this time of year is a tricky one financially for many. So, I understand if people don't have extra. I just need to know we can cover what we need to until we can get back on our feet.

My spouse will start their new job January 8th, and it will likely be either 1/19 or 1/26 before they get their first check (they get paid every two weeks but don't know the pay cycle yet).

I appreciate you reading this and chipping in if you can.

Breakdown of needed expenses:

$119.48 (car insurance)

$150 (groceries)

$289.85 (storage)

$1201.44 (remainder of January rent)

-----------------------------------------

$1760.77 TOTAL needed

(Goal is $1761, because I can't add in change. So, I rounded up.)

We have until 1/5 to pay January's rent without a late fee.