My wife and I are teachers. We have both enjoyed our choice of profession for over thirty years each. During our careers, we have been very careful with our finances. When we purchased a house, we had it planned where we could pay it off before retirement (which we did). When we purchased automobiles, we took turns and paid off a vehicle before purchasing another to avoid having two car payments at one time. It looked like we were doing everything right. But when I got ready to retire, trouble found us. Our home needed a few repairs, so we hired a contractor to oversee the project. He seemed to be doing a good job at first. Then, the issues began. In pouring a new slab for an additional bedroom and bath, he measured incorrectly (3 feet short). In installing a new roof over the new section, he cut the metal too short which allowed for leaks. In subcontracting the plumbing, he did not supervise what was being done. Well, “sewerage” doesn’t run uphill. There were many other issues which he said would be addressed. At the completion of the main work, he told us to make a list of problems, and he would be back to fix them. We believed him because he stayed in constant communication and would come occasionally to fix one item at a time. But, now he does not answer my calls or texts, and we are left holding the bag. Some of the immediate problems I had to hire someone else to fix before they caused other issues with the house. Sadly, the minor things, we have had to learn to live with. My fence is half down—because of the plumbing issues, my yard does not drain properly and holds water like a pond—there is no electricity to my shed anymore, etc. The list of issues is long.
Little did I know that was only the beginning of our financial woes. My car that I have had no problem with for 12 years “died.” When I took it in to diagnose the problem, I was given a list. The price to repair far exceeded the car’s worth. While dealing with this problem, my wife was involved in a wreck with her car. Her car was totaled. She was in the right according to the witnesses and the deputy sheriff, but the other person’s insurance company is questioning everything. In the meantime, we need at least one car.
In trying to deal with the house issues, the car issues, and my wife’s health issues, we have maxed out our credit card and gone through our savings. I have taken on another job to try to help with paying off our debt, but even with that, we are struggling to make ends meet. With such a great debt, each month is “scary.” My wife would like to retire, but she doesn’t think she can. We planned carefully but never thought we would be in this shape. I also never thought I would get to the point where I would be putting my personal business on the internet and begging for help. But, we are desperate—If we could just get back to where we have our head above water. We dream of just being even again, so we don’t leave all this to our son who will soon be in college. Our debt has grown to $ 258,815.76 as of today. Any help you can provide will be greatly appreciated.
PayPal.me link: @Mayberry0813