“Desperate for a new love life, I talked to him for months online and on the phone.
One day, he asked me for $1,000.
He asked to get directly into my bank account to transfer the money to where it needed to go.
No matter the age, everyone can make mistakes.
Here are some of the stories that prove nobody is perfect:
1.
“I got swept up in the MLM storm around 10 years ago.
Hindsight is really 20/20!”
“Being in an unhappy, long-term marriage.
A lot of hurt and anger had built up over 25 years.
As a grown woman with grown children, I was lonely.
Someone on Instagram, pretending to be someone sort of famous, befriended me.
Of course, over time, it became romantic.
And he wanted money.
I gave it to him.
He repeatedly said that giving him money was the only way to be together.
My kids tried telling me the man was scamming me, but I refused to listen.
I lost all my money.
After I was willing to accept the truth, I told him I was done.
After a month, he reached out again, saying I’d deserted him and that he missed me.
He only missed my money, and I enjoyed telling him what I thought of him.
I did end up divorcing the man who didn’t value me.
I’ve since remarried to a wonderful man who appreciates me.
We are rebuilding our financial lives and doing it together.”
Anonymous
3.
“I’m a doctor, half a million dollars in debt.
Dropping out is not a failure.
Deciding you don’t want to do the hard work is NOT a failure.
Now, I’m a doctor with a borderline problem with alcohol in an ass-load of debt.
I’m so miserable but can’t quit because of debt and because I have zero transferrable skills.
From a doctor: STAY OUT OF SCHOOL, KIDS (if it’s not for you).”
“I wasted a decade on being addicted to alcohol.
Life truly began once I got sober.”
kmpbnjelly
5.
“Not realizing that friendships have expiration dates.
However, the friendship ended horribly.
I was sad about it for a while, but I am much happier now.
My only regret was not letting her go once the friendship began to fade.”
“I was in an abusive relationship for 11 years.
I let him wear me down into a complete doormat.
He destroyed my confidence and isolated me from my friends.
It’s been seven years; I’m 36.
I doubt I’ll ever be in a relationship again.
retrocrebbon
7.
“I spent way too long ignoring red flags with my last ex.
Eight years of ups and downs, and they cheated on me multiple times.
It was stupid of me thinking he would change.”
But around 10 years ago, he started turning his toxicity on me.
We haven’t spoken in two years now, and I doubt we ever will again.”
And it makes people who don’t ‘accomplish’ marriage feel worthless.
I’m learning that I shouldn’t hold myself to what others do, want, or need.
you’re free to live your life however you want because it’s YOUR life.
Don’t let anyone dictate what you should be doing, wanting, or needing.
christenisspeaking
10.
“My husband and I separated after he told me not to contact him.
He said he’d get in touch when he wanted to see me.
He’d previously moved from our after having spinal surgery to live with our son.
I was 58 years old.
She said he was a lazy good-for-nothing and that he had nothing to show at 62 years old.
He tried convincing me to divorce my husband and marry him.
He was a penniless pauper and con man.”
“I had a child at 36 with a husband addicted to alcohol.
I filed for divorce three years later.
He cannot be trusted with a child, so all the responsibility is on me.
He’s not paying child support while the divorce is pending because he won’t sign the papers.”
Anonymous, 40,New Jersey
12.
Then, I did the same thing.
It’s wild how different things are when you’re on the inside.
The wildest part is that I wasn’t even deeply in love or anything.
The dude was on dating apps and sexting other women from the start.
It obviously devolved from there.
never lend anyone money you’re free to’t afford to lose or don’t have.
mishybp73
14.
“I had just finalized my divorce and was adjusting to being a single mom of one.
Well, we ended up getting pregnant really early in the relationship.
Afterward, I thought maybe we could get better, but it got worse.
“I ignored too many health issues.
My mother was an RN and drove us nuts with her cleanliness.
This resulted in the daily usage of ibuprofen for the pain, which has ruined my kidneys.
Doesn’t look like I’ll make it to 90 like the rest of my family.”
Anonymous, 70
16.
Desperate for a new love life, I talked to him for months online and on the phone.
One day, he asked me for $1,000.
He asked to get directly into my bank account to transfer the money to where it needed to go.
I ended up broke with zero in the bank, scrounging around for cash to feed my kid.
ALL of my money ended up in Nigeria.
I’d watched all the TV specials about scammers and still fell for it.”
17.Lastly: “I was in my mid-40s and had been sober for about five years.
She was very beautiful and carried herself with confidence and grace.
Unbeknownst to me, our daughters were secretly trying to get us together.
When I finally met the woman, she appeared to be everything I’d hoped.
She was elated to know I didn’t drink, and we quickly started a relationship.
One day, we planned to run errands.
Yes, it was exactly like that scene fromThe 40-Year-Old Virgin!
I blew into the breathalyzer, and off we went.”
Note: Some submissions have been edited for length and/or clarity.
