Hello everyone, helpers and kind-hearted souls

I’m not quite sure where to start.

I’m weighed down by worries about poverty – not to mention that I’m absolutely terrified of possibly becoming homeless.

The reasons for this are the rising cost of living, rent, service charges and the loss of my job.

Last year, I contracted a stomach bug which I’m still struggling with today, a year on.

I’m sure you know the drill: doctors, tests, negative results and medication.

For the first six months, I ignored the illness because I was working as a temp for a very well-known car manufacturer.

I did this because there was a possibility of a permanent role, initial discussions had already taken place, and I’d done a trial period.

What’s more, as a temp working a three-shift rota, I was earning really well and managed to put a few pennies aside, though after more than a year, those savings have now vanished.

Unfortunately, my condition worsened to the point where I sometimes had to take two days off a week, sometimes with a sick note,

but even when using holiday leave and overtime, I tried not to rely on sick leave too often so as not to jeopardise my permanent position at the agency.

As my condition continued to deteriorate, I naturally had to rely entirely on sick leave

, as eventually all overtime is used up, and furthermore, it was medically necessary.

However, the monthly amount payable was too low, which led to the first delays in payments.

After four weeks, I applied for sick pay from the health insurance fund as required, so that there would be no delay by week six.

This was followed by a month-long inpatient stay in a clinic.

Even before this important recovery measure began, my employer sacked me, albeit without giving any reasons and without taking into account

a social redundancy plan. I filed a lawsuit and, as always, it is dragging on.

I’d love to earn a bit on the side, but unfortunately, as an Alg1 recipient, I’m only allowed to earn an extra 150 euros, and since I’m still on sick leave, that’s not going to happen either – at least for the time being.

But now to the real problem

Rent and associated costs – in other words, all living expenses – have risen.

In 2021, I moved for my new employer.

I looked for a flat and found a cheap, small one, but I hadn’t heard of Vonovia before,

the choice of flats was very limited, so I moved in.

Unfortunately, the rent (including heating) has since risen from 400 euros to 630 euros.

The electricity price is falling next year, for example, but the standing charge is being increased, meaning that you end up paying more anyway.

When I was working, it wasn’t a problem to afford it, but now that I’m unemployed and on sick leave, things look very different.

The local housing market makes it difficult enough to find a flat, and without any capital, moving house is out of the question anyway, as I

don’t live in my home town where friends could help.

I could turn to my family, but as my mother and grandparents have passed away and I have no contact with my father, that’s out of the question.

I’d love to move, but it simply requires money, as I’ve already accumulated a small three-figure rent arrears,

prices for removal firms have gone up, and a deposit has to be paid for a new flat.

The problem with the deposit is that landlords in the new flat always want it paid in advance, whereas where I live now, you naturally

only after you’ve moved out, and with Vonovia that can sometimes take up to two months, as I’ve heard from friends.

In the end, I reckon I’ll need around €5,000 for the move, the deposit and the renovation – money I simply don’t have – which will ultimately trap me in a vicious cycle of debt.

I can only appeal to your compassion here, as I’m not terminally ill or needing to bring a deceased relative home, or anything like that, but I wouldn’t be launching this campaign if I didn’t see the desperation behind it.

Of course, I’m also trying to sell items from my household that aren’t strictly necessary via eBay Classifieds.

Starting with a crockery set, football shirts, a Coca-Cola fan bundle, a chop saw and much more.

https://www.kleinanzeigen.de/s-bestandsliste.html?userId=122034815