One Income, Three Kids, and Over $50K in Debt: A Family’s Battle

[@alessiagandolfo9305]

I love how compassionate and non-judgemental you are in this call Leila! Great job

[@artofnia]

Thanks Lelia for creating a safe space for her without judgment. Although she's in a tough financial position at least she reached out to you for help. I pray her & husband's situation improve as well. I'd like to kindly say there should be a program in her state that offers assistance with her utilities and internet bill(e.g. Electric bill). Theyre income based but she can see if she would qualify for these programs.

[@aspiringnetworkengineer1704]

This is sound advice, what an amazing episode. I hear so many budgeters giving incorrect advise but you are very good at this!!! For that lady, good job on facing this. It’s hard to face it but you can start working on it

[@kattttt9585]

I spent $2434.18 on my puppy between when we got him in August 2023 and August 2024. (this doesn’t include the $750 I have currently saved in my puppy emergency fund). I certainly don’t feel like I spoil him. I buy him dry food from costco, he doesn’t go to dog daycare, and i never sent him to puppy training. He has never had any medical emergencies, so this total doesn’t include any vet bills except for vaccines & getting neutered. PLEASE see if there is a possibility of giving the puppy back. They cost so much & will tire you out when all your focus should be getting out of debt. Most adoption places & breeders will take animals back. Especially if you show them the financial stress you are in. It’s incredibly sad to have to do that, but it is probably the best choice for the dog & your family.

[@jessmarie7082]

We got a husky puppy and on top of food, vaccines and getting her spayed, she decided to chew up a beach towel and spent 6k on emergency surgery!

[@catgodfrey6451]

I agree they need to really try & return the puppy. I’m sure he wasn’t free.

[@kattttt9585]

LMFAOOOO just spend $1400 at the vet to get him xrays for a possible obstruction 💀 I really jinxed myself here

[@rachaelv1140]

This series has been fun to watch. I hope she is able to dig herself out of the situation. I do agree that she doesn’t make enough to be supporting three kids and her husband.

[@katresealexander1311]

Hi, I suggest looking into free food banks in her area to offset the food budget. I'm not sure if she owes on her cellphone, but I say seeking a low-cost prepaid service plan. I would cut out all subscriptions temporarily and definitely find a way to increase that income. I would say sell the puppy and get a low-maintenance animal for now or no animal at all. Taking the sacrifice is temporary, but do what you have to do now to better your future.

[@jessicatounkara8753]

You are very kind. This is a challenging situation.

[@DavidKnicks]

Do more of these. I really enjoy these type of videos. Good job!!!

[@miapestano766]

Hi Leila! She should look into Florida’s Women Infant and Children’s program. It’s a government program that provides an allowance for healthy food as well as nutrition education and counseling and referrals for other community services. If she’s already eligible for Food Assistance, she is already eligible for the program!

[@miapestano766]

She’s eligible for herself and the kids that are under 5

[@catgodfrey6451]

They are living way above their means. Hubby doesn’t have a job, but they buy a puppy🤦‍♀️ I feel like they are smart enough to know better. Absolutely no eating out hubby has no job so let’s spend $$ NOOOOO. He should be on this call also. He’s not going to listen to his wife. They need more than just this call. So much could be dropped. Stop getting loans they are making things worse. I agree w/ possibly filing bankruptcy @ least have a consultation w/ an attorney should be no charge for that. Congratulations on reaching out for help.

[@rachaelv1140]

The puppy really got me. They need to rehire the dog as they don’t need another expense and get rid of all extras until they are making more money.

[@jessicatounkara8753]

Day trading is not a good idea in this situation.

[@mirandamenard3616]

I feel so bad for her lack of financial education. She just keeps spending and spending without realizing how much in the hole she is. Companies are taking advantage of her lack of knowledge by selling her products to make her feel financially secure that she doesn’t need. She absolutely doesn’t need the life insurance for her daughter and quite frankly, can’t afford it anyway. She needs to unfortunately get rid of all the extras and both her and her husband need to be working multiple jobs to get out of this. I was also bothered by how unbothered she seems by her situation. She is so relaxed about it.

[@allisbookishadventures8260]

Right! My thoughts exactly. I'm not even done watching this video and I've paused it several times and said "she can not afford that!" Also on a $2400 monthly income the $1200 rent payment is way way way too high.

[@lmanderson2012]

She's not relaxed. I can see and hear the stress in her voice. Not everyone shows a ton of emotions on camera and we need to be careful about making assumptions. She clearly knows something's wrong and wants to improve her situation since she's talking to Leila. Learning to manage money is a skill and it's tough when you have obligations like kids, a husband, etc. I've improved my situation but that's because I don't have kids, not married, relatively healthy, and my family is stable, and I still have to work at spending within my means. Compassion and resources are the most helpful for her.

[@susanhoover1820]

Hopefully her husband can find a job ASAP. Being out of work for a year after an injury is difficult, but now is the time! No extras for the kiddos isn’t being mean, it’s 100% necessary. Cancel 9 year old’s life insurance - it is completely unnecessary. HealthCoach for $30/month - nope - get out and take that new puppy to the park for walks and runs! That $30 will be better spent going towards pet insurance. Even better, return the puppy. Wishing the best for this family. They need all the help they can get. Would love to see a follow up in 6 months time to see how much this Mom learned from this coaching.

[@nene-b6p]

I was thinking the same!!! Can't believe she has 3 kids!!!!!!!!!!!!! Jesus!!!!!!!!!!!!! She has a health coach!! What the actual funck?? Why?? She can't afford it right now!!! I just can't cope with her delusion.

[@THU350]

have you heard of velocity banking. it might work since she has so many cc. she can use it to her advantage but she really need to know her numbers and due dates.

[@nr11563]

Yes...Agree

[@kristenyoungberg650]

I give you so much credit, Leila. It was one thing after another with this one. I don’t think I’d be able to sit through this call. It does not seem like she wants help

[@Username_CC_]

She needs to go back and get that test done! Thats huge. Cant rely on others for anything.

[@BRBRidingMyHorse]

You are young and nice. I’m…. not. Husband needs to get off his ass and get any job available. Rehome the puppy. Take the test and increase your income. Stop buying crap and fast food. Cancel the predatory life insurance and get term for yourself (I would say husband but he’s not contributing anything so???) And for godsake please don’t have any more kids.

[@sarahschreffler5407]

Libby/Hoopla are things you can check books out for depending on what your library has. She needs to check with her library (Any library she has access to. If she's going to school, her school may have a library as well) to see what they offer.

[@jessicatounkara8753]

I think it would be good to check in with her every 2 weeks or month instead of in 6 months.

[@nene-b6p]

She will probably have three more dogs.

[@dwightschrute7342]

😂 man. It just kept goin.

[@DavidKnicks]

He should not be eating out at all

[@missaida44]

Never give people access to your checking account.

[@fasteddy3336]

So true! It’s a payday loan that they have access to your account. I would say that’s a big no-no. Whole life is junk. Nobody does anything for free. How can you have no money and then get a puppy?

[@DavidKnicks]

Her husband can do freight at home depot overnight. They start out at $20 to $23 an hour

[@kaylapippitt655]

Oof! So much going on here, good job Leila! They have a massive to do list - hubby needs a job (not day trading) but it has to be opposite her cause they can’t afford childcare, she needs to finish her test and find a job in her field (even at the lower end it would significantly increase her income), they need to shop around for car and life insurance, and they need to cancel the house/appliance package and stop it with the payday loans! I agree with trying to return / sell the puppy right now. Honestly once they have a second income they can tackle most of their issues within a year or two. I really hope her husband is on board! I wonder if an Amazon type delivery job could work for him? It leverages his driving experience but is also exercise? I can’t stop thinking about this one

[@kristenyoungberg650]

I think you’re almost too nice and relaxed in this video. I understand, other KZbinrs are way too rude to people but I feel like this woman is so relaxed about her situation and really needs someone to tell her like it is. Aftercare and singing lessons?? She needs to talk to her daughter first?? How about she tells her daughter that she needs to put that stuff on pause for now. And a puppy? 😭 then a little while later, she mentions she hasn’t bought supplements because they’re tight on money. She really needs a wake up call

[@mirandatitus8115]

When you purchase a term life insurance policy lots of time you can add your kids on with you, not sure what it is called and basically it is just a burial policy in case anything were to happen to them, but it is at very low cost my policy is $30 a month and it’s like an extra $9 a month for each of my children so the total for me and all 3 of my children is like $57 monthly.

[@NicheTravelersGuide]

Get rid of that life insurance it’s a rip off. It makes them money and it’s been proven that it is only benefiting the person who sold it to you. Get Term life insurance. Also, so there is no need to have the life insurance on the child unless there are health issues. She should have term life insurance on her and her husband. That would be my recommendation.

[@sabahatnaheed1435]

wow life is hard. esp with this cost of living crisis it doesn't help.

[@kattttt9585]

They gave her off for labor day, but didn’t pay her??? ):

[@jordanwilliams9300]

$334/mo for car insurance?! That's highway robbery from my xp in the market

[@cb2596]

I think you are too nice, this women is in serious trouble sometimes tough live is needed

[@nene-b6p]

OMG, she is delusional and she brought three kids in this world that she cannot afford. How are these people even able to survive????

[@babaofu.s.4055]

3kids ,Hahaha

[@angiesmith9181]

You are being way too nice and easy on her. She needs a good come to Jesus talking too so it really sinks in how much they need to get their income up! There is no excuse for her husband not having a job. I don’t believe for one minute that he’s applying. He needs to be out beating the streets every single day looking for work every where! There are also expenses that they need to cut, they don’t have the money for singing lessons, health coach, Disney. I just don’t think this lady realizes how much of a bad situation financially they are in. They have to make at minimum double what they are bringing home. They are beyond the poverty line. They are so in the dark at how bad this really is.

[@angiesmith9181]

You are being way too nice and easy on her. She needs a good come to Jesus talking too so it really sinks in how much they need to get their income up! There is no excuse for her husband not having a job. I don’t believe for one minute that he’s applying. He needs to be out beating the streets every single day looking for work every where! There are also expenses that they need to cut, they don’t have the money for singing lessons, health coach, Disney. I just don’t think this lady realizes how much of a bad situation financially they are in. They have to make at minimum double what they are bringing home. They are way below the poverty line.