your comment really made me feel glad that I have found this page.  Although I have not had any help, I feel like it's still on the way!

Thanks for being so supportive.

Has anyone had much luck on here?  Or anyone know other places to ask for help?  I wrote earlier in the week that I have 3 kids and have gotten myself in a big whole just buying gas to get to work every day.  Today gas is $4.65 a gallon where I live in CA and over 1/3 of my take home pay is gas just to get to work.  I'm trying to make a change but in the meantime I am behind on everything and really feeling like I am at the end of my rope.  I still need to pay rent (which I don't have and my landlord is at the end of his rope too) and I am behind on my car payment which I think anyday they can take it away.  I've already got rid of my cell phone which I really need as my kids are special needs and sometimes I just need to be reached when I don't have a land line available.  The only responses really (Other than a few I am right there with you responses) was from people trying to get me to do their home based businesses.  I already have a full time job and my need is urgent right now.  I don't know when I would have money to invest in their home based business!  Anyways I am hoping someone will say that's a family I want to help, or since I adopted all of my kids from the foster care system, someone may want to help that way but can't adopt, it's sort of a nice way to help people who are helping others.  I have not always been down on my luck--but I promise to pay it forward when I get out of trouble.  I am looking forward to a good night sleep, i have not slept in weeks.  Well anyways, thanks for reading. 

well that was sure optimistic of me.  i'm still sitting here without water and trying to find a pool or somewhere where i can shower tomorrow for a big job interview.  I have to try to stay focused for this interview because it can really change things...i just hope i can make it that long.

 thanks for reading

Although I still have tons of problems, I am feeling a little more optimistic today. 

I like your attitude.  I am feeling very low and hearing how bad others have it and how they still have hope is making me feel somewhat better.  I don't have water at all.  My kids think it's a water outage so they are not too worried, I am hoping by tomorrow we raise enough to get it back on.  Water, like gas is very expensive in CA.  I'm trying to stay positive, really I am, but I jump everytime the phone rings or someone pulls up (my car is about to be repossessed.)  I just don't know how I got here.  But again, I see hope and I know it won't always be there and just as soon as I am on my feet, I am going to buy one of your photos too, so I can remember how we all need a lift sometime.

thanks

thanks i appreciate the kind words.  I'll keep the faith.

thanks rosie we'll check it out.  my biggest worry is running water today, so I have to work on that first.  I have a couple of good things going for me that will help in the future.  I have been interviewing with a company that will pay 25% more than I make now and my final interview is Thursday.  Plus no long commute!  I also have minster credentials so I am going to try an add for marrying people, but thanks for the advice and we'll look into it.

Your post gave me some inspiration and hope that my picture will get better.  I posted not really thinking anything would come of it, but I have 3 kids depending upon me so I have to do what I can.  Yes, I know people have it worse and things can get better if I hang on.  While I've never felt lower and more inadequate as I do today, you gave me some hope after reading your story.  So thanks for the moment today. 

Wow, I've never felt like I've been on worse times.  The cost of gas in CA has caused me to not pay bills and they've all stockpiled so to get one caught up has caused others to get bigger.  i work very hard and I never thought I would be here.  My rent is past due, my water was turned off today and they want to repossess my car.  I am looking for a new job as I just cannot afford to drive so far to my job of 18 years.  My partner and I have adopted 3 children (they were our foster children) and I am feeling like I have let everyone down.  Two of my children are considered special needs so my partner is a stay at home parent.  Daycare for special needs children would offset any pay he would make.   My parents are deceased and I don't feel like I have anywhere to go.  I need the obvious help to get caught up and keep a roof over my head, but more so I need some help in managing money I don't seem to know what I am doing and for the first time in my life I am terrified.  Sorry to dump all of this but I feel like I am at the end of my rope.