Soo many people have nearly similar variants to this story.

I'm Richard. I try and keep a happy state of mind and positive disposition and outlook, but I have to admit, it is getting really difficult.

The last 12 months have been some kind of personal nightmare.

First in June of last year, my car was stolen during the riot period in NYC, literally off the street in front of where I worked.

Then, as things got back to 'normal' I found myself hospitalized twice since then, once in October and again in March, each time in excess of 30 days.

NEITHER was Covid, but that too had it's effect.

Add it all together and following this 12 month period that I am on the precipice of financial failure.

With insurance paying all but deductibles and co-pays I still have about 15K in Hospital bills -- I literally have TWO stacks of unpaid bills related to the events that I am (very slowly) working through (no blood from a turnip) ...

I totally used 2 months of Sick Time all but one week of which was UNPAID. Just calculating the total Wages Lost - almost 6K

That's the medical/health issues (oh, I am better now, doctors (all 5) seem to agree, and the basis problem has been solved, hopefully for good.

Add in the Pandemic

I also took a 20% pay cut to keep myself in a job (yes, I am still working, and i've actually seen in the last weeks some recovery (not total) to my previous income. I have literally spent 12 months keeping myself going with what "was" a healthy credit score and reserves and credit cards.

So you total it all up and what you end up with after things get done to the best of my own ability ... I am still substantially in arrears on my rent (nearly 7500) ... Thank God that at least so far, my landlord has been understanding and giving me time ... but I just don't think that can last forever.

I'm hoping that if good karma exists it can come back to me ... soon ... In the past i've randomly given to people in need on the site--because, well, I had it to give. Now I'm sincerely hopeful that as you read this, you decide that perhaps, you have a little something to give in return.

I can't imagine what happens if I can't get back to a stable financial footing.

Thanks for taking the time to read--whatever happens now, I will pay this forward.