Does anyone actually get monetary help from this? I've been on here since the 17th of Dec and read through tons of profiles or comments saying the same thing... need help desperately. But up till now I have not seen anyone saying they actually were able to get the help. I know I am bursting at the seams here and it's really difficult to be optimistic when I see no tangible results... or maybe I am not looking in the right place. All I know... I STILL need at least $5000. to at least reach water level, let alone keep myself above water. And I'm running out of places to apply for loans, and getting sick of "free grant money" book and cd offers. I need REAL help. Drew

Since my divorce 4 years ago I have learned to be very self sufficient, but in the last year things have taken a turn for the worse. Even though I do work at a good paying job which pays me weekly (avg of $500, after taxes and child support), I have suffered cutbacks in hours, and bonus which is now making it near impossible to keep juggling my rent, car payment, car insurance, electricity, phone, plus put food on the table and gas in the car. It has gotten bad enough where I am starting to sell things I own, such as my musical equipment (I used to be in bands, but that did not pay out for me). My emergency money that was supposed to tide me over in event of job cutbacks... gone since months ago, and as a result... everything is falling behind further!

I desperately need a lump sum gift of money to at least stabilize myself, and I can take it from there. If everything were caught up I could float myself once more, and not have a need to be on this particular forum. I am not the kind of person to ask for handouts... but I am so depressed at this stage in the game that I will take anything, as long as it is legal!

By my calculations (as of beginning of december this year):

rent - 3300. behind
electricity - 1500. behind
car - 620 behind

This does not include the current month's bills.

avg bill amts:

rent $600
electricity $120
car $310
phone $80
insurance $120
water $60 (paid to landlady)

The top three, those three are the big killers. I have tried to keep phone up at least for the internet connection, and because that would be a huge embarrassment to me since I WORK there! Electricity should have been shut off months ago... maybe I fell through the cracks but I am sure my luck is running out. How my landlady has not evicted me yet is beyond me, but her patience is wearing REALLY thin, and I cannot keep making promises to everyone then having to pick and choose who will actually get paid this week. I think this month will either make or break me. This is sickening to me to be like this... and if I am able to get someone's help I vow never to get myself in such a mess. All I need... is a one shot deal...

Ideally if it were possible to get a gift of $10,000 I know that would not only wipe out the arrears, but also keep me in position to stay AHEAD of all bills instead of behind. I know that is a large amount, considering the debt listed above, but there are other past debts I would like to clear as well such as chiropractor that look bad on my record and I would like to improve my credit not just stave off the axe man. Even $5000 will at least get some of the pressure off of me.

Miscellaneous items you need to know. My daughter now lives with me, she is 11. Her mother does as well but she is losing her car this week to reposession. They have been here since October, tripling my grocery bill. Her mother does work but she will more than likely lose the job when the car goes. She is looking for something within walking distance or bus route as we speak.

I feel like Princess Leia in Star Wars... "Help me Obi Wan Kenobi, you're my only hope...."

I desperately plead for someone to reach out... I in turn when I get on my feet, will pass it on, as I was raised to do.