I planned well. I used a fancy company to make sure I was ready to retire comfortably. I retired, and everything looked great.

Then my car was totaled by a young man who had stolen his neighbor's truck - no license, no insurance, and no passport. Not only did I have unexpected medical bills, but I had to buy a new (to me anyway) vehicle. My insurance company said they would make sure I got everything I deserved. (My insurance costs went up - not sure I “deserved” that). 

I got a couple of odd jobs to cover me for a little while, but those dried up. 

30 years in the classroom - I offered to tutor kids I knew, got a few, then the summer came. Money gone. 

Tried to go back to work as a teacher; apparently, my interview skills are lacking. No good. 

Wrote some children's books and opened my own company. I can't afford to print them. One more wall.  

Then my lifetime best friend became homeless when his wife got sick. I took him in, and now I have his medical bills as well as my own after he nearly died twice.  

I just need enough to get the books published, really get my company going, and sell the homeschool curriculum I have written. I'd love to be able to afford his surgery before it kills him. Groceries would be great too, but I can make do. I'm a Gen X, Independant woman with all that entails. So you know, asking for help - not something I do.