An 80-year-old Quebec woman says she’s trying to find a new job to try and make ends meet and help pay off her debts amid the high cost of living.
Rachel Garand works part-time, offering food samples at a large retail store. However, she says earning an income barely above minimum wage is not enough to make ends meet.
While Garand says she tries to enjoy the little things in life, the cost of living is “very expensive,” and even the smallest luxuries eat into her daily budget.
Her story of trying to find a new job was reposted on Facebook and within days it was shared more than 6,000 times. She was also featured in a YouTube video that explained her financial situation.
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The senior used to live in a house with another person, but he passed away years ago and the house was sold. She said she moved into an apartment but her bills piled up.
Despite her part-time job and monthly government pension checks, Garand said it wasn’t enough. She started using credit cards and accepting family loans to pay her bills, racking up more than $28,000 in debts.
“I did it because I didn’t have enough money,” Garand said.
A GoFundMe was also launched to fundraise enough money needed to pay off her debts. As of Friday morning, more than $14,000 have been raised.
But Garand says she is not looking for handouts and just wants a better paying job, even when her debts are paid off. She says she’s also determined to pay it forward as others try to help her get back on track.
“I feel like that the people in Quebec are very affected when they see old people,” Garand said.
“I love the old people and I can help them too.”
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