Hi, my name is Nicki. I am a married woman who has been mostly a SAHW for the better part of 4.5 years since I lost my job in Oct of 2020. We live in a state far from anyone whom we call friends or family. We are alone and have been carless since Dec of 2023. My husband is a very hard working man who would do anything for us and has. He barely took a day off unless I insisted because he was sick or physically hurt himself doing his daily work routine. He did everything he could to make sure we kept the roof over our head. We have 8 cats, 3 foster cats and 2 dogs. I have done small things over the years to add to the financial situation, but nothing of great impact.

Now that the basics are out of the way.

Ok, this is a lot to come and expose, but unfortunately I am left with no other choice. I wish things were different. It is time to open our wounds publicly.

Life has changed for us drastically. He was laid off due to his boss being unable to pay him. Less jobs, less income, can’t pay the only employee he had. The economy has hit his small business and now only has his son employed. HE has sustained us over the last 4 and half years with this employment.

Unfortunately, he cannot work immediately or file for unemployment. He lost his Green Card a few years back. He has already put in for his green card to be replaced (a few days ago) but he needs it for a new employer and anything else to do with employment. We were unaware of how long the process would take or the costs that came with it. It takes a minimum of 4 months all the way to 8 months to get the Replacement. He also needs it get an update ID. He has been at the same job for over 5 years. We never took notice of the expired ID since we have been carless and never went out or had a need to show ID.

This means he is unemployed for the next 4-8 months. There is nothing I/he/we can do about it.

I AM/Have been in the process of looking for a job for the last 2 weeks since we found out about this, but I am under no delusion that I can make what he was making. I am also getting my new ID this week as well. My drivers license expired in 2020. I’m just going for a regular state ID. I’ll have it this Friday.

We all know a new job takes Weeks to a month get hired and let alone get a pay check.

We are going to need some help for the next 3-4 months to get by. I have paid ALMOST all the bills for the month of Aug with what we had.

We spend about 1800-1900 on rent & bills. This does NOT include food or medicine or UBER (this is a new thing because I need it to get to interviews and places to apply. We never go out.)

We have nothing for groceries in 2 weeks or ANYTHING at all for Sept on.

I am doing all I can to apply for jobs, spending what little we have left for Ubers to get where we need, but I am at a loss.

I have never done this. I have never asked for this much help in my life. I have a lot of pride and most of the time would struggle in silence than ask for help. I feel horrible just with a mere thought of asking strangers when I know everyone is struggling. I just don’t know what to do. I can’t lose my house. I have too many fur babies. They have all been with me since they were all babies. They won’t do well with strangers.

I just want to thank everyone in advance. Whether it’s kind words, prayers or financial help.

This is made me just a little more grateful for all we have.