Latest news with #financial stress
Yahoo
20-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Woman Accuses Daughter-in-Law of ‘Ruining' Grandkids' Future by Not Sending Them to Pricey Private School
NEED TO KNOW A mom tells her mother-in-law they can't afford private school, sparking a blowout argument that ends with screaming and tears While she defends their financial choices, her husband stays silent, leaving her to face the backlash alone Now labeled 'selfish' by family, she turns to Reddit to ask if setting boundaries makes her the villainA woman turned to the Reddit community for support after a heated family argument about her children's education spiraled into a painful confrontation that left her feeling alone and misunderstood. 'Last week, we got into a full blown argument. Like screaming, tears, me walking out of the house kind of fight,' the woman writes in the since-deleted post, explaining the moment everything boiled over. The fight erupted after her mother-in-law insisted their kids be sent to an expensive private school, one well beyond the family's financial reach. 'She wants our kids to go to this super expensive private school. I'm talking tuition that costs more than our rent,' the mom shares, describing how the pressure felt both unrealistic and deeply unfair. She and her husband, she explains, are doing their best to make ends meet. 'We're not rich. We live pretty simply, we budget, we try to give our kids what they need without drowning in bills,' she writes. That delicate balance, though, was threatened when her mother-in-law stepped in with strong opinions and little regard for their situation. Trying to hold her ground, she calmly pushed back. 'I told her, straight up: 'We'll decide where they go. We're the parents,'' she recalls. Though she insisted she was 'respectful but firm,' the calm didn't last for long. Her mother-in-law, she says, exploded with accusations. 'She lost it. Accused me of 'ruining their future,' said I was 'settling' and 'lazy,'' the woman writes. The words stung, but what hurt most wasn't just what was said. 'What kills me is that my husband didn't say anything. Just sat there. Like he was watching a tennis match,' she shares. 'Didn't defend me, didn't stop her. I was standing there alone. Again.' Left reeling from the encounter, she admits the aftermath has been emotionally overwhelming. 'The guilt? Oh, it's real,' she confides. 'Like what if she's right? What if I'm limiting my kids?' As a parent, she explains, every decision feels loaded with weight. 'What if one day they ask why we didn't try harder?' she wonders. 'I've been spiraling.' Even in her self-doubt, she holds on to what she believes is the core of the issue, doing what's best for her family without sacrificing their stability. 'Like, ma'am, I'm just trying not to go into debt before my kid learns long division,' she writes. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. And yet, instead of being supported for her efforts to protect the family from financial strain, she finds herself at the center of criticism. 'Why is it always me being called selfish when I'm literally trying to protect us from drowning?' she asks. 'When she's not the one who's going to be stuck figuring out how to pay for it?' The fallout only grew more painful as extended family members began to chime in. 'Now the family's all whispering. I'm 'disrespectful.' I'm 'ungrateful,'' she reveals. The sense of isolation deepens as her husband fails to stand up for her even after the fact. 'He just keeps saying, 'You could've handled it better,'' she shares. His words add another layer of doubt to a situation that's already left her questioning her choices. 'Could I have?' she wonders. 'Or was I just standing up for our boundaries?' Despite the emotional toll, she stands by her decision. 'So yeah. I told my MIL she doesn't get to decide where my kids go to school, especially when she's not the one paying for it,' she ends. Read the original article on People
Yahoo
20-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Woman Accuses Daughter-in-Law of ‘Ruining' Grandkids' Future by Not Sending Them to Pricey Private School
When her mother-in-law pushed for a school they couldn't afford, one mom put her foot downNEED TO KNOW A mom tells her mother-in-law they can't afford private school, sparking a blowout argument that ends with screaming and tears While she defends their financial choices, her husband stays silent, leaving her to face the backlash alone Now labeled 'selfish' by family, she turns to Reddit to ask if setting boundaries makes her the villainA woman turned to the Reddit community for support after a heated family argument about her children's education spiraled into a painful confrontation that left her feeling alone and misunderstood. 'Last week, we got into a full blown argument. Like screaming, tears, me walking out of the house kind of fight,' the woman writes in the since-deleted post, explaining the moment everything boiled over. The fight erupted after her mother-in-law insisted their kids be sent to an expensive private school, one well beyond the family's financial reach. 'She wants our kids to go to this super expensive private school. I'm talking tuition that costs more than our rent,' the mom shares, describing how the pressure felt both unrealistic and deeply unfair. She and her husband, she explains, are doing their best to make ends meet. 'We're not rich. We live pretty simply, we budget, we try to give our kids what they need without drowning in bills,' she writes. That delicate balance, though, was threatened when her mother-in-law stepped in with strong opinions and little regard for their situation. Trying to hold her ground, she calmly pushed back. 'I told her, straight up: 'We'll decide where they go. We're the parents,'' she recalls. Though she insisted she was 'respectful but firm,' the calm didn't last for long. Her mother-in-law, she says, exploded with accusations. 'She lost it. Accused me of 'ruining their future,' said I was 'settling' and 'lazy,'' the woman writes. The words stung, but what hurt most wasn't just what was said. 'What kills me is that my husband didn't say anything. Just sat there. Like he was watching a tennis match,' she shares. 'Didn't defend me, didn't stop her. I was standing there alone. Again.' Left reeling from the encounter, she admits the aftermath has been emotionally overwhelming. 'The guilt? Oh, it's real,' she confides. 'Like what if she's right? What if I'm limiting my kids?' As a parent, she explains, every decision feels loaded with weight. 'What if one day they ask why we didn't try harder?' she wonders. 'I've been spiraling.' Even in her self-doubt, she holds on to what she believes is the core of the issue, doing what's best for her family without sacrificing their stability. 'Like, ma'am, I'm just trying not to go into debt before my kid learns long division,' she writes. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. And yet, instead of being supported for her efforts to protect the family from financial strain, she finds herself at the center of criticism. 'Why is it always me being called selfish when I'm literally trying to protect us from drowning?' she asks. 'When she's not the one who's going to be stuck figuring out how to pay for it?' The fallout only grew more painful as extended family members began to chime in. 'Now the family's all whispering. I'm 'disrespectful.' I'm 'ungrateful,'' she reveals. The sense of isolation deepens as her husband fails to stand up for her even after the fact. 'He just keeps saying, 'You could've handled it better,'' she shares. His words add another layer of doubt to a situation that's already left her questioning her choices. 'Could I have?' she wonders. 'Or was I just standing up for our boundaries?' Despite the emotional toll, she stands by her decision. 'So yeah. I told my MIL she doesn't get to decide where my kids go to school, especially when she's not the one paying for it,' she ends. Read the original article on People Solve the daily Crossword
CBS News
11-07-2025
- Business
- CBS News
4 debt relief options you can qualify for with a low income
We may receive commissions from some links to products on this page. Promotions are subject to availability and retailer terms. You can still pursue debt relief with a limited income, but certain strategies may work better than others. Getty Images When you're living on a low income, even a small credit card balance or unexpected medical bill can feel like a financial emergency. Owing money when you can barely cover rent and groceries is incredibly stressful, and as the interest charges pile up and the late fees kick in, that debt can feel impossible to manage. But in today's high-rate, inflationary environment, this situation is not uncommon. Lots of people have fallen behind on their debt payments and are now looking for a way out. Unfortunately, the path forward isn't always obvious, especially when debt collectors are calling as the bills keep piling up. But the good news is that there are debt relief options that can help, some of which are designed specifically for people in tight financial situations. These programs and strategies can reduce, restructure or even eliminate a portion of what you owe, making it possible to regain control of your finances, all without needing a high income. If you want to take advantage of what these programs can offer, though, you'll need to know which options you might qualify for and how to access them. So, what are the debt relief strategies worth considering when your income is limited? Below, we'll detail four worth knowing now. Find out how to start the debt relief process online today. 4 debt relief options you can qualify for with a low income Here's a closer look at several unsecured debt relief options you may qualify for if money is already stretched thin. Credit counseling and debt management Best for: Those who are still current on bills or only slightly behind but struggling to keep up with high interest rates. Many credit counseling agencies provide free or low-cost services that can help you better navigate your debt. When you take advantage of this option, a certified credit counselor will review your financial situation and may help you create a personalized debt management plan that provides a structured route for getting out of debt. One of the main benefits of a debt management plan is that it allows the credit counseling agency to work with creditors on your behalf to secure reduced interest rates and waived fees. While that won't lower the total balance you owe, it can make the debt more manageable on a limited income. And, the nominal fees that are charged for these services may be easier to fit into your budget than the fees that come with other options. Compare your debt relief options and find the right solution now. Credit card debt forgiveness Best for: Those who have already fallen behind on payments and have access to some funds (or can save them up) to settle debts. Pursuing debt forgiveness involves working with a debt relief company (or on your own) to negotiate lower lump-sum settlements with your creditors. If successful, the remainder of what you owe is "forgiven," allowing you to get rid of your debt without paying the full balance owed. This option can reduce your balances by an average of 30% to 50% (provided that your creditors agree to settle). However, it's not without tradeoffs. You'll need to either have enough money on hand to offer lump-sum settlements or have enough in your budget to save up for them. And, the debt forgiveness process can hurt your credit score. Creditors aren't obligated to accept an offer, either, and you may face taxes on any forgiven debt. But if you can reduce your debt substantially, the tradeoffs may be worth it, especially if your income is limited. Credit card hardship programs Best for: Those experiencing short-term financial hardship but want to keep accounts current. Many credit card companies and lenders offer hardship programs for borrowers who are facing legitimate financial challenges. These programs can be beneficial when your income is limited because they can result in temporarily lower interest rates, waived late fees or paused payments. To explore this option, you'll need to contact your creditors directly and explain your situation. Not all lenders will agree to these arrangements, but it's often worth asking, especially if you're trying to avoid falling deeper into delinquency and can provide proof of the hardship you're facing. Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy Best for: Those with more debt than they can reasonably repay, especially if they're being sued or face aggressive collections. Bankruptcy can sound like a drastic approach, and, given the serious repercussions of filing, it can be. But for some people, filing for either Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy is also the most effective way to eliminate overwhelming debt. Both options come with credit impacts, but they also provide legal protections from collections, lawsuits and wage garnishment. Chapter 7 bankruptcy is designed for those with low income and minimal assets, and if you qualify, most unsecured debts, like credit card balances, medical bills and personal loans, can be discharged completely. Chapter 13 may be an option if you have a steady income and want to reorganize your debt into a three-to-five-year repayment plan. The bottom line If you're living on a low income and struggling to manage your unsecured debt, it's important to know that you're not stuck. From credit counseling and hardship programs to debt settlement and bankruptcy, there are proven ways to lighten your financial load. Each option differs, though, in terms of the relief it can provide and the potential downsides you could face, so take time to consider which one fits your situation. Don't wait too long to act, though. The sooner you get started, the faster you can start building a path toward financial stability.
