Urgent Help for Melissa and Larry's Relocation Crisis

Hello. This is Melissa and Larry Renfrow. I am so sorry that we are asking for help, but we have found ourselves in a bad situation. To us, this just kind of snowballed.

Last week we moved to Salado, TX from Bolingbrook, IL. We had set up movers for $3,000.00 and paid a $1,500.00 deposit. The day they arrived, they wouldn't move our small boxes or bags without putting them in giant wardrobe boxes. With my inventory list, they had booked me 525 cubic feet. Once they were done boxing, the cubic feet had doubled to 1,050. They also charged $300 to box. So the price doubled.

Some background about us. Larry had a stroke in 2019 and hasn't been able to work since then due to memory issues. I work but was laid off in June 2023. I was unemployed almost a year. Started my new job that I love in June 2024. However, my credit score plunged to 500 due to our inability to pay off debts.

So finding a place to rent was difficult. Finally found a place in Killeen. Paid a $2,500.00 deposit and first month's rent. Once we arrived in Killeen, the place was a scam. We have to get a lawyer to get our money back as the slumlord will not return our calls. This is a work in progress.

Meanwhile, we stayed at a hotel all week till Friday when we moved into a duplex with a lovely landlord. Of course, we had to pay a deposit of $1,475.00 plus prorated rent for October of $380.00.

So here is the worst mistake we made. I went to a car title loan place to pay the new deposit and pay off the movers. They gave us $3,620.00 four days ago. They are charging $100.00 in interest per day so the balance is now $4,002.92. This is our only car, a 2016 Chevy Cruze. I need the car to get to my job and we have no money left. All savings were spent between the time I was laid off and the move.

I hate to ask for help and feel very humbled and embarrassed. I must ask though as the stress is too much for us. We appreciate any help you can offer.

Thank you for reading.

Melissa and Larry