In September, 2018 I registered on line with a dating app called match.com.  During that experience I “met” a man who called himself Darion Santino Oberto and had three pictures of himself posted with his personal information.  We started corresponding using the match.com app and soon had exchanged cell phone numbers.  We chatted at least twice a day and I began to share my life with him and he with me. He stated he was an Italian American living in Edmonton at this time.

He asked to meet and I accepted… many times; but our scheduled times together were always postponed  because of his work as an engineer on the pipeline rigs.  It wasn’t long before he told me he loved me and would wait for me to fall in love with him. Of course he said all the right things… how beautiful and smart I am… he even prayed for me and sang to me, which of course, touched my heart deeply. He said money was not a problem and he wanted to take care of me.

We scheduled another time to meet but instead I received a call stating he was offered an opportunity to bid on a huge project off the Port of Quebec for the Canadian Pipeline.  He assembled his crew and headed out.  His bid and demonstration were impressively successful and thus began another part of this most deceitful journey.  He gave me access to his bank account as well asked me to place the order for materials needed with an international company called Fortuna Metals.  The bank, United Fidelity in Florida and Fortuna Metals are legitimate companies.  I placed the order for him (internet was unstable on the rig) and followed this instructions to the letter to pay the over 1.5M dollars for the necessary materials to complete the job. It was only supposed to take 2-3 weeks to complete the job and he would be “home” for Christmas.  Then came the news that the IRS put a hold on any transfer of further funds while they investigated the legitimacy of the purchase.  Plus he didn’t order enough materials to complete the job on time.  Thus began the asking for temporary monetary assistance until such time as he could get to Florida and straighten things out at the bank.  $87,000.00 later (everything I had including cash advances on my credit cards), he said good-bye in early January 2019, told me it was only money, and was off to Venice to be with his very ill mother…There is so much more I could share; but I really don’t want not write a novel.

Bottom line… I am a 66 year old physically disabled woman, who has suffered with chronic pain for over 30 years… I’ve had 5 surgeries and need 2 more.  I raised 3 children on my own and am now blessed with 5 grandchildren. Only 3 people in my inner circle know what happened and what I did… the shame, humiliation and anger I live with, trying desperately to move forward and leave this all behind me.  BUT I’m reminded daily as I am unable to support myself with a heavy debt load of $25,000.00 and a negative bank balance…  I gave my savings and any investment monies away to this horrible deceitful man.  My income is only CPP & OAS for a grand total of $1526.10 a month.

I will graciously and humbly accept any donations.  Thank you so much for considering my request.

Please send any donations to:  PayPal.me/BMaeD

This past year and a bit with my partner, Matt, has brought its highest highs, lowest lows, and most importantly, it has brought us our loveable collie/lab X, Peach. Since Matt and I met in February of 2018, we’ve hit financial hurdle after hurdle, from medical leaves taken from work without pay, to break ins and both of us losing our jobs at one point or another.

Shortly after meeting Matt, I finally found the cause of the excruciating pain that could only be relieved by the strongest opioids available at the ER: I had an anal fistula. I don’t want to go into detail about how gross and excruciating an anal fistula is, other than the pain would leave me going days on end without eating or sleeping. The only solution for a fistula is surgical excision, which I had done at the beginning of April, 2018. Most people recover fairly quickly, but I ended up needing to take almost a month off of work without pay. Still, I returned to work while still not healed, resulting in several months of using prescription NSAIDs in order to manage my pain. Finally, in August, my surgeon agreed that we had exhausted every non-invasive option to encourage my incision site to heal, and the only option other than more surgery was to receive a Botox injection to stop the muscle from going into spasms. The Botox was administered the end of August, and mercifully worked, though I had to pay the $300 cost out of pocket, as the organization I was teaching for laid the teachers off over the summer and didn’t provide the staff with benefits until a month after returning to work.

September seemed to be a smooth sailing month until the last week. Mine and Matt’s birthdays fall 2 days apart, and since Matt was now working for a telecommunications company, we got each other new iPhoneX’s for our birthday. We paid less than $100 for both phones, and Matt’s employee discount on phone plans was coming to an end from his previous employer, so it was time to switch providers. To recoup the cost of the device balance on our iPhone 8’s, we decided to list the phones for sale. One evening, Matt was out showing the phones, when he was mugged and had both phones stolen. Because Matt wasn’t hurt, it took almost 3 days for EPS to dispatch a member of the police force to take an official witness/victim statement. The deductible on our tenant insurance was so high, and the value of the phones to the insurance company meant it would have cost us more to file a claim than the cost of paying off the device balance, leaving us with a $2200 phone bill. We decided to chalk up our losses, and just pay the bill.

That brings us to October, when the precious Peach joined our lives, forever changing us. But, our happiness was short lived when, 3 days after bringing Peach home, she became listless and wouldn’t stop vomiting. We rushed her to the Vet Emerge in the middle of the night, where she tested positive for, despite receiving her first round of shots,  Parvovirus, an extremely lethal and dangerous illness for dogs, with few surviving the ordeal. The vet stressed that Peach would need round the clock care, and insisted that we admit Peach for 3 days. In order to admit a dog, the clinic needed the full amount of medical stay paid, which was roughly $3-4000, depending on what treatments were needed. Being completely strapped for cash, we opted to bring Peach home with 2 bags of IV solution for hydration, pain killers, peptobismal,  and antibiotics. For a week, Matt and I slept in shifts in order to provide the rigorous medical care needed for Peach. 5 days after the vet visit, Peach started drinking on her own, and started eating small amounts of soft food the day after. It took Matt and I another week to truly believe she was completely over the illness and had become a parvo survivor.

We had a brief reprieve, until Halloween. Matt and I allowed ourselves to have a date night, and we went to see a movie. Upon returning home, we parked in the underground parkade of our apartment, and locked the doors. Unknown to both of us, was that Matt’s work laptop was sitting on the back seat covered by a jacket. At some point during the night, burglars broke into the “secure” parkade, smashed windows on, not only Matt’s car, but two other cars parked underground. Upon further inspection, Matt discovered his laptop stolen. After filing a statement with the police, Matt met with his manager, where he he was terminated for failure to take care of company property. Devastated, Matt began the job hunt, and we withdrew several thousand dollars in RRSP’s and maxed out our credit cards in order to get us through the next few months. In the meantime, I began to feel despair and panic setting in, and wound up in the ER after having a massive panic attack. I began seeing a therapist, and came to the conclusion that I was unhappy with my career, and that a change was needed.

After Christmas, I began to seriously search for jobs, and Matt and I took turns attending interviews, with both of us starting new jobs in February. During this time, we both started to worry about how we were going to afford Peach’s upcoming medical expenses, such as getting her spayed, chipped and getting her booster vaccines. It was also during this period that I realized the medications I was on for my depression and anxiety were not helping, despite significant dosage increases. Upon further investigation, it was discovered that my testosterone is low, and that a mass the size of a pea could be seen on x-ray in the area near where the pituitary gland is situated. Since my blood work was normal (despite the low testosterone), my doctors are not worried that the mass is cancerous or life threatening, but it will still need to be surgically removed in order to stop my testosterone levels from plummeting further.

As I received this news, my new supervisor overheard me mention it to a coworker and that I was feeling overwhelmed with all the changes happening in my life, and I’d had a fair number of small anxiety attacks over how close I was getting to being off probation. The next afternoon, I was approached by the director of the organization and brought to the HR office. After closing the door, I was handed a letter and told that during the probationary period, it was deemed that I was not a good fit for the organization, and I was terminated as an employee effective immediately. Stunned, I drove home in full panic mode with no idea what to tell Matt.

Upon returning home, I was greeted with my tax assessment, which showed I owed the CRA $2100 in taxes. Completely defeated, I broke down sobbing and was inconsolable for almost 2 hours. Because of how much I owed in taxes, I was ineligible for Employment Insurance, and I once again began the job hunt. Within two weeks, I secured another teaching position, but it unfortunately does not start until September. While I am still on the hunt for something to bring in cash to pay the bills, I seem to have difficulty getting interviews for seasonal jobs, or jobs that could turn into weekend jobs come fall (such as serving, stocking shelves…)

Despite all the good that has happened this past year, I feel like every time Matt and I take a step forward, we end up two steps backward. I know that if we can get through the next couple months, we will once again be fiscally secure once I return to work, but in the meantime, our credit cards are maxed out, our savings has been depleted and our dog is in need of another round of boosters and she needs to be spayed.

Bills that are outstanding are as follows:

My MasterCard: $5800

Matt’s Visa: $500

My Taxes: $2100

Outstanding Phone Balance: $1900 (in collections)

Peach’s Spay: ~$300

Peach’s Vaccines and License: ~$175

Total: $10,775

We currently have an outstanding balance of $10,775 in bills, and are desperate to pay that off without resorting to payday loans or needing to consolidate. I 1000% hate the position we’re in, but I know that with our outstanding bills eliminated, we will recover, and we will be able to rebuild our savings, so as to never wind up in this position again. With your assistance, I can give my word that once we are financially secure, we will pay it forward and help those who struggle fiscally due to elements beyond their control.

If able, my link is https://paypal.me/helppeach

and any amount received is insurmountably appreciated.

I came to New Zealand 4 months ago with my friend. We had planned out the whole next 6 months as much as we wanted to and had planned to split the cost of food, rent, gas pretty much everything we could until we could land a job.  I have a working holiday visa which means I’m allowed to be here as a tourist and I can work if I want to as long as it’s not a permanent position.

Everything was good until she decided a month into it that she was done and wanted to go back home. We talked it out and I made the decision to stick it out and stay because I wasn’t done yet. I left my job to come here and do this. I was able to get a very casual temp position where I basically have to ‘bid’ to get shifts. My saving were starting to run low but for some reason I just thought everything would pick up and be okay. Then I started to fall behind on all my bills. Both my credit cards were maxed ($2000 & $500) and my credit was declining along with every payment I missed. Oh and yes I have a student loan worth $20,000

This is when I knew I had to just bite it and go home. But the problem was, I was so far behind on rent and other bills that there was no way I was going to be able to afford a ticket. I tried to convince people to hire me, but who wants to hire someone who’s not even going to commit to 3 months? I borrowed $1000 from my sister, double that from my mom and another couple hundred from my dad. I was so embarrassed that I begged them all to not tell anyone I asked for it, and I was going to fix this ‘don’t worry about me over here I’m fine’.

Then I started calling credit companies. No one was giving me another credit card with 2 maxed out. I tried every loan company there is and pretty much put my credit to the worst it can be with all the credit check dings my file has gone through. Each time I was hoping it’d be worth it because this bank would loan me something. Anything to just catch up. Even payday loans wouldn’t help me because of the nature of my job the pays aren’t always steady. I’m in NZ so Canadian banks know I don’t have a steady income. NZ banks won’t lend to me because I’m not a permanent resident & again with the unsteady paycheques.

My parents have 2 bankruptcies to their name so they aren’t the kind that have savings at hand to help me more than they already have, and that also puts them out for being my guarantor for those types of loans. None of my friends are that good with money, and the ones that are aren’t comfortable lending money to friends.

So that leaves me here in NZ just evicted from my apartment due to non-payments (my property manager was even generous and gave me an extra 2 weeks to try and figure something out). I came to the airport hoping to convince someone here to give me a plane ticket for free to get home, but no luck. I’ve been awake living at the airport for 2 days lugging around my suitcase looking up every possible way to make money. I am seriously out of options and am basically homeless across the world from any familial support system.

I’m asking for $10,000CAD (approx. $7,500USD) to get home, catch up on my default bill payments, and have something to eat along the way. The total cost of my plane ticket home would be $1900CAD. To catch up on my credit cards and loan payments is $4000. First and last for an apartment back home is $1600. The remaining $2500 is so I can make regular payments for the next couple of months before while I’m waiting for a cheque from a full time job. I’m not even sure how long I can get away with being in this airport as they’ve already noticed me being here 2 nights in a row. All I want is to get home and start rebuilding my life to not make these same mistakes again.  Anything would help so please donate to my Paypal account.

Paypal link: paypal.me/jclarab

Thank you.

:)

I am seeking help to recover from my financial stress.

My family grew up very poor, however, I worked hard to ensure I had a good education  in order to help the family. Throughout that journey, there was lots of despair, stress and the feeling of giving up. However, the fuel that kept me was the dream of making my mom happy.

She became ill when I was only 10 and life made another turn for me and my siblings. But we remained positive and I always had great conviction that I would become successful.

As I became an adult, life became a bit easier and I was able to help the family. My siblings also did well enough for themselves and we were on the path to success.

The family then split up – mom and brother moved to USA, I moved to Canada and other sibling remained in Jamaica. Throughout all this, we all had no paternal support.

While in Canada with no family, I was able to beat the odds and get a good enough job. I proved myself and got promoted quickly through the ranks. And it looked like my dream was closer to reality.

Throughout all this, I’ve contributed significant financially to family, friends and others in need, as I knew what I experienced and can sympathize with anyone in that situation

Last year things took a turn. I assisted someone in need. It turned out that he was not sincere and it led me on a slippery slide which kept getting worse until my current situation where I have huge loans, damaged my credit, unable to help my family who is depending on me, and have my salary vanish the minute I get paid.

This situation has caused me tremendous pain, embarrassment, and debt. But most significantly – depression. As I have not revealed my situation to anyone – can’t. It kills me inside and I have nowhere to turn at the moment.

Despite the many dark thoughts that creep into me each day, theres still some strength and hope that  there is a light somewhere and that why I haven’t given up quite yet. I’m hoping to get back on my feet, when I would be a wiser person and be careful next time.

I’ve learned that success and failure are much closer together than we might think, and it doesn’t take much to fall from the sky to the ground.

I hope there is someone out there who can help. I am usually very private and do not even have the courage to beg for help.  But Im giving it a try here.

The picture attached  is one of 3 such accounts

[Read more…]

Hi,

I’m James and I’m from Canada. The land of Maple syrup, Moose, Beaver, Poutine, Tim Horton and Hockey. I love this place with all my heart.

I’ll be honest,

I’ve made mistakes in my young life and I’m realizing it more and more.  One of my worst mistakes was to accept a Credit Card from the stands in the malls at 21.

Results: I’m 29 and currently in debt of over 6k. A mix of school and of a mix of purchasing things at 21.
Imagine: Finishing high school at 17, go to college for a few years, paying more and more to then realize that not only you’re in debt but you’re also not sure if that’s what you want for your future.

Common issue nowadays for a lot of people especially since it’s hard to get a bit of guidance.  At least now, I’m starting to see that I want to be in a workplace where I can help people with technology.

I’ve been failing in life for a long period of time and I’ve never been lucky but I’m still trying the best that I can to make things better. I just want one win. Proof that I’m not lucky: My tax return would have saved me but apparently there’s a problem with my records at the government. Things aren’t matching. Even voluntary people who do your taxes tried and they don’t know either. First time happening to me and I’ve always filed my taxes.

I really don’t know what’s going to happen but one thing I know is that it’s not easy.

Even though I’m working hard, it’s pretty much putting a toll on me. Barely making ends of months.

$6000 is a lot and I’m ashamed of myself. I’m not the kind of person who asks people for help. I would rather handle things myself but this time, it’s really a lot to digest.

You who are reading my message. I know we don’t know each other and I appreciate you for being here. Typing everything on my mind right now released a bit of weight on my shoulders and made me realize that’s it’s going to be a hard fight.  If I manage to get that amount to zero, I will remove my post so that people in need here get their opportunity and make a video to show my appreciation if demanded.

Thank you.

My paypal is: paypal.me/cheruja

Hey!

This really bombs. Every time I turn around someone is trying to charge for some stupid fee… currently I’m on EI as I am a seasonal farm hand. And I just got a totally unexpected bill in the mail to renew my license, after I just paid 100 dollars last month to do my road test for my full drivers license.. I was under the impression that it was going to cost me 18$ to get a new card but it turns out it costs 108$… it’s impossible to get ahead. There’s no work where I live and I’m trying to business plan to start my own farm in the spring but do you know it costs 60$ just to tell the Canadian government you are starting a business? How is someone supposed to keep up with all these stupid fees while trying to be a farmer and grow good food… drowning in fees.  I’m hoping just to get 168$ to cover these two unexpected costs because I really don’t have extra money laying around… I live very frugally and use my pay only for my necessities including my student loan and my car payments and insurance. I just feel like as a farmer I work really hard and no one really respects the importance of farmers in Canada… I don’t think it’s fair that farmers feed the whole country yet don’t make enough wage to barely pay for a car :(

if you love your farmers and see the importance of young agrarians please help a lass out so I can keep my drivers license and register my business. I’d be very appreciative and it would definitely restore my faith in humans. Thank-you. If you can’t donate to me, please at least buy local produce in the summer when you can.

https://paypal.me/justicesteph

My heart is broken and my eyes are filled with tears having to write this story. My name is Birgit and it’s with a very heavy heart that I’m having to share my mother’s story to anyone who chooses to read this. On October 22nd of this year was a very hard day as we found out she was diagnosed with advanced breast cancer. At this point in time we are unsure where the cancer is spreading. She had a bone scan on October 25th and I’m thankful to say it hasn’t spread there. Her doctors and specialists are moving fast to start her on the right treatment for her. She will be starting chemotherapy and possibly radiation at the end of November. My mom, Brenda, has always had such a kind heart to anyone she meets. She’s the type of person who would rather give than receive. Her smile lights up any room she walks into and her sense of humor will make anyone who is close to her walk away with a stomach ache from laughing so hard. Her life story is a very sad and long one, but she always came out of everything with her head held high and stronger than ever. She’s such an incredibly strong woman that I look up to and wish to be half as strong as her. Our story is very long, so to kind of make it short, I finally found her 3 years ago after being apart for almost 20 years. The day we finally met was the best day of my life and I’m sure the best day of hers. So I guess you could call me crazy but I would like to save her life and spend more than 3 years with her. We would really appreciate any donations to help my mom out as she has to quit her job she’s been with for over twenty years. When she starts her chemotherapy she can’t work as she is around the public for 12 hours a day seven days a week, and she needs to be as healthy as she can be while on her treatment. Donations will be used to help pay for her medications. Donations and prayers are more than welcome as her situation is very urgent. Please feel free to share her story with people you may know. Thank you so much for reading my mom’s story. I will update as soon as we know anything more.

We had an important video call yesterday (Nov. 28) with the oncologist in Prince George and found out my mom has stage 4 breast cancer and is HER 2 positive. The doctors have found small spots on her lungs, so the cancer has potentially spread there. She starts her first chemotherapy treatment on December 11 as well as two targeted drugs for HER 2 positive. Her type of breast cancer is very aggressive so that’s why it’s growing and spreading so fast. Please if you can donate or share her story it would mean so much to her.

My mom has started her first set of treatments. She had her PICC line put in on Dec. 3. Yesterday (Dec. 11) she had her first targeted drug for the HER 2 positive and today (Dec. 12) she had her second targeted drug plus her chemotherapy drug (paclitaxel). We were at the hospital yesterday for 2 and a half hours and today for just over 7 hours to get her treatment started. She is doing really well and is very strong. If anyone can please donate or share her story we would really appreciate it.

paypal.me/momandi7