They ran into each other when Marie saw Donald in a Gold and Pawn shop in Manchester, New Hampshire.
The veteran shared that he was selling his jewelry to pay his rent and take care of his ill wife, who had just been diagnosed with dementia. To add considerably more pressure to this, their landowner has chosen to raise the lease and Donald dreaded he and his significant other could be removed.
In a video presented on her page, Marie gave Donald an envelope loaded up with $1,300 from commitments between herself, her life partner, and 25 other kind outsiders who contributed.
The flying corps vet was overpowered with appreciation and promised to reimburse the blessing with a supper, when he could manage the cost of it.
However, things only improve from here on out.
Marie then started a GoFundMe campaign for him, which has received over 13,000 contributions.
Even though the goal was only $350,000, more than $370,000 has been raised for Donald as of now.
So what is the cash in any event, for? Well Marie, remarked that this cash would simply go towards aiding the vet on his monetary burdens, as well as assist him with viewing as another home.
On the mission page she remarked: ” I’m trying to find him a new place to rent that doesn’t break the bank, but I was hoping I could raise some money to ease his financial burden. Any sum would help and any assets for a one room first floor condo or house to lease would be greatly valued in the Manchester region.”
In an update, on August 9, the TikToker expressed gratitude toward every one of those gave and said she and her life partner would be plunking down with Donald and a lawyer to get all the cash in a protected record that he can get to.
Thus, everything seems to lead to a happy conclusion.
MY HUSBAND SPENT OUR FAMILY’S SAVINGS FOR A CAR ON A PARIS TRIP FOR HIS MOM — SO I TAUGHT HIM A LESSON ABOUT FINANCES.
The weight of the betrayal settled in my stomach like a cold stone. Three years. Three years of sacrifice, of pinching pennies and foregoing simple pleasures, all for a car that would keep our family safe. And he’d squandered it. On a whim. On a trip to Paris for his mother.
David, bless his oblivious heart, seemed genuinely surprised by my reaction. He’d always been a mama’s boy, and I’d tolerated it, even indulged it, to a point. But this? This was beyond the pale.
“It’s my money too!” he’d protested, his voice rising in that familiar defensive tone. “She deserves it! You can’t put a price on gratitude.”
I’d simply stared at him, my mind reeling. Gratitude? What about gratitude for the sacrifices I’d made, for the countless hours I’d spent juggling work, kids, and household chores? What about gratitude for the safety of our children?
I knew arguing would be futile. He was locked in his own world of justifications, and I wasn’t about to waste my breath. Instead, I retreated, a quiet fury simmering beneath my composed exterior.
Over the next few days, I played the part of the understanding wife. I smiled, nodded, and even helped him pack his mother’s suitcase. I listened patiently as he recounted his mother’s excited phone calls, her plans for sightseeing and shopping.
But beneath the surface, I was plotting. I was determined to teach him a lesson about finances, about responsibility, about the true meaning of family.
First, I contacted his mother. I explained the situation, the crumbling van, the precarious state of our family finances. She was mortified. She’d always been a sensible woman, and she was appalled by her son’s impulsive decision. She offered to pay for the trip herself, but I declined. Instead, I suggested a compromise. She could still go to Paris, but for a shorter period, a weekend getaway rather than a full week. The difference in cost would be returned to our car fund.
Next, I tackled the issue of David’s “my money too” argument. I opened a joint account, separate from our everyday expenses, and deposited the remaining car fund, along with the money his mother had returned. I then created a detailed budget, outlining our household expenses, including the cost of a new (used) car. I presented it to David, highlighting the glaring discrepancy between our needs and his impulsive spending.
I also introduced him to the concept of “family meetings.” Every Sunday, we would sit down together, discuss our finances, and make joint decisions about spending. The kids were included, too, learning about the value of money and the importance of saving.
Finally, I decided to address the issue of his mother’s constant demands. I didn’t want to create a rift between them, but I needed to establish boundaries. I suggested that we set aside a small portion of our budget for gifts and experiences for both our families, to be agreed upon by both of us.
The changes weren’t immediate. David grumbled about the budget, about the “unnecessary” family meetings. But slowly, he began to understand. He started to appreciate the sacrifices I’d made, the careful planning that kept our family afloat. He even started to enjoy the family meetings, seeing them as an opportunity to connect with the kids and make joint decisions.
The day we drove our newly purchased (used) car home, David looked at me, his eyes filled with a mixture of regret and gratitude. “Thank you,” he said, his voice sincere. “For teaching me.”
I smiled. “We’re a team, David,” I said. “And teams work together.”
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