Dear Christine,
I am a single mother of two who needs some serious financial advice. That is the reason why I am writing to you.
I am working and I am able to make ends meet to an extent. I have made some bad financial choices and now I don’t know what to do. I was not working for a few years, so the money that I saved went into rent, utilities, food and paying other bills.
I got a job a few years back and acquired a loan to clear some of my bills. I became pregnant and took another loan from another bank so as to buy the things that were needed for the baby and to see the doctor as well – for I had a few problems with the pregnancy.
Going to the clinic was not easy. On most days I spent an entire day at the clinic, and that meant losing days from work. I also had a credit card which was used for emergency purposes.
Christine, no one can tell the future. I “maxed out” my card and I am now finding it difficult to make my payments. I went to the bank in an attempt to consolidate my bills and was turned down because I have a high debt ratio and needed someone to sign for me.
I have done so in the past for people and now that I in this jam, I cannot find anyone to help me.
Christine, all I need is a boost – a hand. My total debt is $18 000. My salary is just about $1 800. I have never defaulted on my loans. They come out of my salary.
I just need a little advice on what to do. I still have rent, utilities, food and two children to take care of. Their fathers help the best they can.
– DESPERATE
Dear Desperate,
I may probably be opening up myself to ridicule when I make the following statement: I get really annoyed when women put themselves in the way to get pregnant with the knowledge that their personal, particularly financial position is not sound.
I am not saying that “accidents” won’t happen. But how many pregnancies must it take for some women to realize that children are a great responsibility?
Most of the time when individuals like yourself reach out for help (in any form) the underlying story is always about the child, children or a pregnancy. These are children who did not ask to be born. Yet they are introduced to a world of hardship, financial lack, and despair. This is not fair!
While you are right in saying that no one can tell the future, each individual makes decisions daily which can adversely affect his or her future, or help in bringing about a brighter future. We are all masters – to some extent – of our fate.
Please understand that I am not judging you. I am simply speaking in love because I’d like to reach you and other women like yourself.
I’d also like to commend you for making the decision to ask for help. A financial advisor will be contacting you.
– CHRISTINE
