Leaving when you are financially trapped
A situation i know that unfortunately is not uncommon. I'm hoping for support, hope, and advice if anyone can suggest anything. Even just knowing its possible to make it out? Idk.
I'm in an emotionally and verbally abusive relationship, and over time I've realized he has complete financial control over my life. It happened so gradually that I didn't fully see it until I was already in deep.
I'm currently unemployed except for a casual position where shifts are rare, though pay is good and it is in my field. I receive social assistance and I'm about $12,000 in debt. I was accepted into university starting in September, paid my tuition deposit, and took out a student line of credit for school expenses. Somehow I let him convince me to max it out after he promised he would pay it back. He hasn't made a single payment. I have paid 1000/10,000 so far.
He's not on my apartment lease or car, but he lives with me and pays half the bills. The problem is that all of the debt is in my name. Between loan payments, bills, and my reduced income, I would be in a deficit immediately if I left.
I've been isolated from everyone who was in my life for over a year, and don't have family. I know what community resources exist, but there aren't many options for someone in my situation.
I'm wondering if it's possible to create a GoFundMe anonymously? He can't know I'm trying to make an exit plan.
Right now I have a maxed-out student LOC (currently at 9000), a maxed-out $500 credit card, and about $1,800 left on a personal loan I took out for a trip he wanted us to book before I started school before I was unable to continue working my full time position. The payments are $470/month, which is almost half of my monthly assistance.
I feel completely trapped. My goal is to get the student LOC down significantly, pay off the remaining loan, cut expenses where I can, and use community resources until I'm back on my feet. If I can do that, I think I could leave and still attend school.
Has anyone gotten out of a situation like this on a very limited income? How did you do it? This university program is my dream, and out of everything that's happened, I don't want to lose that too. And if I dont attend, the student LOC becomes inaccessible and goes into repayment with higher interest and higher minimum payments.
Any advice? I feel like im never going to make it out of this.