Support Bob: An EMT's fighting to stay afloat

Hi, my name is Bob. I have work in EMS on an ambulance and in an emergency room for roughly the past 10 years. I don't recommend just anyone get in this business. You MUST have a strong stomach and a strong heart. They both WILL be challenged daily.

We in EMS are grossly underpaid. My career choice is my ikigai (my purpose in life). Some people go through life wondering if they made a difference, I don't have that problem when it comes to my career. I wake each day eagerly waiting to go to work to help people in their darkest hours. I really don't want to quit, but I'm in a position where I may need to just to make ends meet. My health barely allows me to pick up any additional shifts.

When I started in this career, I made myself a promise to make everyone I come in contact with smile at least once. They are not here for fun. Rather, to them, their life is falling apart. A smile leads everyone down the road to a better recovery. A smile begets a smile. I go to bed each night, feeling proud of myself for bringing them a bit of happiness. I've been very successful in raising the spirits of sick complete strangers. The elderly are most likely to share their happiness from my kindness. I've had several older people smile back and thank me for bringing them a smile. Some have even hugged me. I absolutely love that. It gives me chills every time.

I've recently found that working only one of these jobs makes it impossible to make ends meet. Due to unfortunate life events, my finances are in shambles.

I grew up loving my parents especially my mom. Neither of my parents had any form of higher education. For multiple reasons, they didn't teach me many of lifes essentials. I'm the last of 7, so I got limited education in everyday life skills, mostly finances. Consequently, I constantly struggle. I'm trying to hire a financial coach to help me better understand finances, but as they say, it takes money to make money.

I currently live in an apartment complex, which now, due to everyday living expenses and past due bills, have me needing to move.

To me, it's shameful to be begging for money, but I'm in a position where I need to. I have never really been able to clearly understand life's intricacies, mostly with regards to money. I've always just worked more overtime to make ends meet.

Prior to this career, I had a decent marriage to a woman who took care of all our finances. Unfortunately, I never learned them from her or my parents.

I'd love to pay off all my debt, but I'm not here for that. I just need a helping hand to put a few bills behind me. With social security the way it is, money soon will be extra tight. I feel that with the financial coach, I'll be able to make ends meet.

Thank you for considering me, and God bless!

~Bob