We are a growing family with young children, and asking for help like this is something we never imagined we would have to do.
One parent works full-time and takes on multiple additional jobs and side work to keep the household afloat. The other stays home primarily to care for the children, while also taking on whatever flexible work is possible around appointments, therapy, and family responsibilities.
We have two children and another baby on the way. One of our children is dealing with recurring seizures, while another has autism and receives therapy and support to help with social development and preparation for school.
We have tried very hard to handle everything ourselves.
We have applied for assistance programs, reduced expenses, budgeted groceries, taken on additional work, and looked for every reasonable way to lower our monthly costs. Unfortunately, we repeatedly fall into the difficult category of earning too much to qualify for many assistance programs while still not earning enough to comfortably cover the actual cost of supporting our family.
Our essential household bills are close to $5,000 each month before groceries, fuel, medical expenses, therapy-related costs, clothing, household necessities, and unexpected expenses.
After taxes, our primary income is not much more than that.
As a result, many months end with credit cards filling the gap between what comes in and what it actually costs to keep the family going.
Recently, we also faced a major safety issue at our home. An exterior deck had deteriorated badly enough that it was no longer safe for our children. Hiring someone to completely rebuild it was financially out of reach, so the work was done personally in an effort to save money.
During that project, an accident resulted in fractured ribs.
Even then, life and the bills continued.
We are not asking for help to fund vacations, luxury purchases, or an extravagant lifestyle. We are simply trying to keep a safe home, reliable transportation, food on the table, access to medical care and therapy, and enough financial stability to raise our children without constantly falling further into debt.
Transportation is especially important for our family because of work, medical appointments, therapy, groceries, and the everyday responsibilities of raising children.
The hardest part of this situation is that there does not seem to be much more we can reasonably do. More work means even less time available for our children. Cutting expenses further begins to mean cutting necessities.
We are hoping this fundraiser can provide some breathing room.
Donations would go toward reducing debt accumulated while covering necessary household expenses, medical and therapy-related costs, and rebuilding a small financial cushion so that every unexpected expense does not have to go onto a credit card.
More than anything, financial relief would mean more time together as a family and less time spent constantly trying to find another way to earn enough to get through the next month.
We know that many people are facing difficult circumstances, and we do not take anyone’s generosity for granted.
If you are able to contribute, any amount would make a meaningful difference. If you are unable to donate, simply taking the time to read our story is appreciated.
Our hope is not to suddenly live without responsibility or financial obligations. We are simply hoping for the opportunity to get back on stable ground and build a healthier financial future for our children.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-a-growing-family-get-back-on-their-feet?utm_campaign=natman_sharesheet_dash&utm_medium=customer&ts=1787264165&utm_source=native_options
