I would just like to start by saying how much I hate having to post another one of these. It kills me having to beg for help from family and friends, and part of the reason my credit is so bad is years of ignoring bills instead of asking for help when things were exceptionally bad.

The last few months have been incredibly tough. Back in November, Kerri was once again denied for disability (that fight continues), and we lost our SNAP benefits because I apparently make just over Vermont’s poverty line cutoff. Additionally, the persistent health issues that have been affecting Rollo have cost us quite a bit in vet bills, and to make matters worse, I’ve been in the emergency room twice since early November.

And then there’s my car… my yearly inspection expired back in May, and I have kept pushing it off because I haven’t had the money for the inspection, never mind any repairs that might be necessary to pass the inspection. Then on December 12th, I was in a car accident, which thankfully was very minor, but even with my insurance, I have a deductible to pay when the car is finished and then I have to wait for the other driver’s insurance to reimburse me since she was at fault.

It really feels like the hits never stop coming, and I’ve been desperately trying to get a handle on our expenses, but now as we head into the peak of winter, our work hours have been cut, and I’ve gone from working 40-45 hours a week to an average of 30 hours.

I don’t know what to do anymore—every time I take one small step towards getting our finances in order, I feel like something comes along and gives me a swift “Sparta kick” to the gut, sending me several giant leaps backwards.

Kerri and I love y’all and I hope that one day we can make up for all the begging we have been forced to do over the last year. Words cannot properly express how grateful we are for the help we have already been given and any help that will be given as we try and get back on track.