Money changes people—but I never thought it would change my own mother.

Growing up, she was my rock. She always said, “Family comes first,” and I believed it. So when she called me crying one night, saying she’d lose her home without $20,000, I didn’t hesitate. I took out a loan. I didn’t ask questions. I just acted—because she was my mom.

But days later, when I visited her, I didn’t see someone struggling to keep a roof over her head. I saw a fully redecorated house—new furniture, a flat-screen TV, everything pristine. I stood there in shock as she casually said, “You’re young—you’ll earn it back. I just wanted to feel happy.”

I was speechless.

Now I lie awake, drowning in debt, haunted by the betrayal. She didn’t just take my money—she broke my trust.

They say not to mix family with finances. I thought that didn’t apply to us.
But what do you do when the person who raised you becomes the one who uses you?