Keeping Our Heads Above Water
2013 has been one disaster after another, where we quickly found ourselves going from relative stability to economic crash.
- Phil lost his job after being pushed back for a raise for months. The company was paying him half of what he should have made for the same job, which led to living paycheck to paycheck.
- I also lost two jobs when the companies I worked with decided to go in-house for their social media. I'm not working as a writer, but make at most 1/3 or what I used to make.
- My car was discovered to be rusted out to the point that it wasn't worth fixing anymore, so we're waiting, anxiously, and hoping the car will survive the winter.
- We just discovered that unemployment extensions will be ending Dec 28th- $1100 per month that helped us barely scrape by.
Basically a bunch of crappy things happened all at once, and as soon as we recovered from one, another hit. We know 2013 has been a terrible year for a lot of people, and honestly I feel kind of guilty even writing this when other people have had more need, but... we're dangerously close to not making it through another month.
Also, January 8th, when this closes, is my 30th birthday. I had hoped to do something nice for it, as it feels like a marker, and it's crushing to have the year I leave my twenties be a year where I'm trapped in poverty as I was at 18. It's been difficult to keep writing and not to sink into depression. We need help from our community.
What We Get, What You Get
- Rent for us is $975 a month, plus utilities. This amount, if raised, will give us a couple months to recover, eat meals, and not dip into the savings for a car.
- While most of the physical perks are available by becoming my Patreon patron (and I don't have a lot to give!) there are some available depending on your donation- DIY gifts, thanks on my site, or mentions on my social media/blog of your own project.
- Even if we don't make the full amount, every bit helps us out and goes straight back into our daily living expenses... so I can continue to write professionally and work on the Consent Culture book.
You Will Make a Difference
No matter how much this campaign makes, it'll make a difference to us and our survival during this difficult time. Without the money from unemployment extensions, we're afraid we'll have to give up the apartment and go our separate ways just to be housed. We're grateful that you asked us to create a campaign like this, and grateful for anything you can spare.
Other Ways You Can Help
Please tell other people about this campaign, or become a patron of my writing over at Patreon! Remember, patrons *do* get other perks like tee shirts and buttons.
Have a perk you'd be willing to donate to the cause? Please email me and let me know! miss.kitty.stryker at gmail.
Additionally, any leads on jobs in customer service, social media, community management or events would be greatly appreciated by us both. Gift cards to places like Safeway or Target also gratefully accepted.
