About Pat from Amherst

I desparately need help paying off some debt and just surviving for the next few months until I have some form of regular income again.  Eight years ago, before I was "downsized" from a relatively good-paying job, we considered ourselves middle class.  Since then, we went form middle-class to working poor, and now we are just plain poor.

 I hate living day by day, never knowing if I'll be able to come up with the money for tomorrow's bills.  I figure I'm not young enough for prostitution, not brave enough to rob a bank, and so too cowardly to try suicide!  But there has to be some way out of this mess.

 I am a "retired" medical social worker.  I worked all my life helping other people, all the while paying my taxes and keeping up with the bills.  Although my husband has three higher degrees, and a brilliant mind, he became disabled while finishing his PhD and has never been able to work, nor is he eligible for Social Security.

 I lost my last job two years ago, and have been unable to find anything since.   I need something with very flexible hours because of my own fatigue and because my husband needs assistance at certain times of the day. We've been living on savings while I have tried to start up a small business.  Nothing is working out.  I can no longer work a regular job because of exhaustion, so I really need to do my own thing from home.  I'm working on a couple of projects that should bring us some income in the next few months, but right now we are totally broke

I have cashed in and sold off everything that I can.  I applied for and we are receiving HEAP and Food Stamps, and that helps.  Our house is paid off, but the taxes will soon be overdue.  And right now, I have about $30. in the checking acct., $10. in savings, $7.00 in my wallet and that's it!!  I don't know how to pay the regular monthly bills.  And of course we have debts to pay off--the dentist, the bank over-draft, even the car mechanic!!

I need a loan to get us through the next 6 months, then I think we'll be back on our feet.  My mother gave me money a few months ago, but she is not able to do that regularly.  My in-laws basically refuse to help, and there are no other relatives to turn to.  I tried to get a loan from the bank, and from a loan agency -- they both turned me down because I cannot prove I have monthly income.

I am feeling really desparate.  We are not quite old enough to do a reverse mortgage or to start collecting on Social Security.  Selling our house and moving is not really an option due to my husband's disability.  Even if it were, we need money NOW, not 6 months from now.

Does anyone have an answer to these questions?:

      1--I read about grants available to help with personal expenses, even pay off debt.  I have not been able to locate any--do they really exist?

      2--I get e-mails all the time about processing rebates, and I am sure that some of them, like many internet "great offers" are basically bogus, or at least highly exaggerated.  Has anyone had experience with rebates?  Can you really make money?  Which sites are reputable?

      3--I sell handmade greeting cards.  My website needs work -- the pictures should be clearer, plus it is missing a few newer designs.  But if you need cards for any occasion, please send the business my way.  [thank you!!] OOOOOPS!!!---HERE'S THE WEB ADDRESS: www.cardsandgiftsbyplsoriginals.com

******I would be willing to repay a loan at a reasonable rate of interest.  HELP, please , before we drown!!!!