Hey /r/personalfinance,
This just happened about an hour ago, but it has me feeling like I have to tell someone. It's a slight twist to the normal thank you posts.
I was at work when I got a call from a number down in the Dallas area. I live in Tennessee, but I'm from Dallas, so I knew they had to know me. I answered, and it was a company looking for my mom. I told them I don't live with her and hung up. A quick Google search of the company returned an auto finance company. Looks like my mom missed a payment or two.
I texted my mom letting her know they called and asked how much she was behind. My mom is stubborn as all get out. She refused to let me know anything saying "Can't really talk, son. I'm not asking my kids for help until I am 100 years old. I'll be okay. I've just spent almost $2000 on [the dog]'s eye and I will have to wait to pay it."
Now, my mom loves her dog more than either of her kids. At least that's the joke. There is some truth to it. The dog is 17 and has cheated death countless times over the last few years. Dude just won't quit.
I was persistent and asked her how much she needed and she said $30. I told her no one calls over $30 and to tell me the truth. All she would say is one payment.
In the past, I had sent her money for her birthday from my bank account, and lo and behold the transfer information was still there. I sent her a text telling her I still had it and I fully intended on helping.
In late summer 2014, I got out of the Army. In typical veteran fashion, I was unemployed, severely depressed, and all around fucked. My mom took me in and did the best she could to get me going again. My stepdad eventually bought me a cheap car cash so I could move to where I am now which led to my current job which pays fairly decently. Definitely the most I've ever made.
When I got this job, I slowly started saving while getting my stuff together. This sub was so inspiring. I have an addiction to seeing my accounts grow. From $400 to my name in September 2014 to having 3 months salary in savings.
So I sent her a text saying last chance to give me a real amount. She sent back "$200. But seriously, son. I'll be okay."
Yeah, Mama. You will be. So I sent the transfer. But not for $200. I still think she was lying. I sent $500.
And it didn't hurt at all. It felt GOOD to be prepared to help. I don't care about that $500 at all.
I've seen a lot of people say that by paying bills for loved ones you're enabling bad spending habits. Normally, I agree. But when it's your mom facing repossession, it's hard not to help when you have the means to. I'm not worried about it becoming a habit. I know she's bawling her eyes out right now. She's embarrassed. She doesn't want to accept help. But she totally deserves it.
Hell, maybe now she'll love me more than the dog.
Submitted January 03, 2017 at 07:56PM by SandyDFS http://ift.tt/2iBhktZ
