I'm hoping that someone can help my friend.  She, like all of us here, has fallen on hard times, and is having trouble paying her bills.  She's not asking for help to pay her bills, she needs help getting a car seat for her baby boy.  I know that someone out there has a used, in good condition car seat that they no longer need.  Maybe there is even someone out there that can arrange for her to get a new one from somewhere.  I know it's hard, but if we all donate just $1, we can make this happen for her.  Her son has outgrown the carrier that she was able to get when he was born (11 months ago), and he now hangs out of it.  I know all of the mothers out there can understand how she's feeling, and want to help.  You should also know that his first birthday is coming in a few days, and she doesn't have any money to even buy him a single present.  I know from expierence that it's the worst feeling in the world not to be able to provide the simplest things for your child.  She has already gone without being able to give him a first Halloween, Christmas and Easter, let's pull together and give this child a proper first birthday.  Thank you all in advance, and let me know if you can help.

thank you for your help, but i don't have a home phone.  it was one of the things that had to go.  first because i have a cell phone and second because the only people that were calling the home phone were bill collectors.  thank you again for your response and keep me in mind for other opportunities.

First let me say that I can relate to all of you, and I hope and pray that you get the help you nee.  As for me, I'm not looking for a hand out, just a hand up.  I need to get a job, but the problem is the hours that I would have to keep for a regular job.  I have 3 kids, 2 that are school age, and need me to be home for them when they get out of school, are on vacation, or even sick.  My husband and I decided that I would stay home with the kids several years ago when we moved away from our families, and the cost of daycare would just eat up any pay that I would bring home.  My husband has a full time job that just isn't paying the bills anymore, because they cut out most, if not all of his overtime.  The overtime pay was keeping us above water.  With the rising fuel costs, and everything else going up as well, except his pay, it is getting harder and harder to make ends meet.  We are currently living pay check to pay check just to pay the monthly bills.  His latest pay check won't even cover the mortgage that is due in 5 days.  Other things like groceries, gas, and clothes are being put onto his credit cards (gas card and 1 Visa), and I'm afraid those are going to be maxed out very soon.  He is in a band, but original bands get paid very little, if anything at all, and that money usually goes to paying for the studio time.  The band is doing very well right now, and making alot of noise, but the problem is it's just another expense right now that we really can't afford.  It's getting harder and harder to get everything paid.  I stopped paying my credit card bills about 6 months ago, and bill collectors are sending me crap now.  They used to call, but as I have a cell phone, I got rid of the home phone.  I figured it was one expense that I could do without.  I'm trying to keep the bills in my husbands name current, as he's the one who's name is on the mortgage.  So, hence I need to get a job as of yesterday.  I've tried some of those stay at home scams on the internet, and have managed to get some of my money back in refunds, but they don't work.  I'm at my wits end.  If anyone knows of any work from home job that actually pays, please give me the information.  I'm willing to do any kind of work (not porn), and I am highly skilled at several things.  Accounting was my field before staying home with the kids, but I have become very expierienced with the internet, web design, and computer programs.  I would be willing to clean houses, gardening, shopping, etc. for those working Moms that can't seem to find the time to do it themselves, and want to spend their days off with the kids.  Elderly people could benefit from this service also, as it is harder for them to get out and do these things anymore.  I am not afraid of working, and am a motivated individual, I just need to have the flexibity of the stay at home job.  So, if you know of anything that sounds like it would be great for me, or if you know anyone that could use my services, please let me know.  I am a trustworthy, honest individual that just needs a break right now.

Hi Kenny, I know it's hard, as I am currently feeling the pinch from the current economy. I too am not looking for a hand out, just a hand up. You are a very special Dad, that just wants something better for your kids. Kids don't understand why they can't have something, they just know that all of their friends have things that they don't. Keep your head up, and when you least expect it something good will come along. Have you thought about taking your ex to court for child support?

First let me say that I can relate to all of you, and I hope and pray that you get the help you nee.  As for me, I'm not looking for a hand out, just a hand up.  I need to get a job, but the problem is the hours that I would have to keep for a regular job.  I have 3 kids, 2 that are school age, and need me to be home for them when they get out of school, are on vacation, or even sick.  My husband and I decided that I would stay home with the kids several years ago when we moved away from our families, and the cost of daycare would just eat up any pay that I would bring home.  My husband has a full time job that just isn't paying the bills anymore, because they cut out most, if not all of his overtime.  The overtime pay was keeping us above water.  With the rising fuel costs, and everything else going up as well, except his pay, it is getting harder and harder to make ends meet.  We are currently living pay check to pay check just to pay the monthly bills.  His latest pay check won't even cover the mortgage that is due in 5 days.  Other things like groceries, gas, and clothes are being put onto his credit cards (gas card and 1 Visa), and I'm afraid those are going to be maxed out very soon.  He is in a band, but original bands get paid very little, if anything at all, and that money usually goes to paying for the studio time.  The band is doing very well right now, and making alot of noise, but the problem is it's just another expense right now that we really can't afford.  It's getting harder and harder to get everything paid.  I stopped paying my credit card bills about 6 months ago, and bill collectors are sending me crap now.  They used to call, but as I have a cell phone, I got rid of the home phone.  I figured it was one expense that I could do without.  I'm trying to keep the bills in my husbands name current, as he's the one who's name is on the mortgage.  So, hence I need to get a job as of yesterday.  I've tried some of those stay at home scams on the internet, and have managed to get some of my money back in refunds, but they don't work.  I'm at my wits end.  If anyone knows of any work from home job that actually pays, please give me the information.  I'm willing to do any kind of work (not porn), and I am highly skilled at several things.  Accounting was my field before staying home with the kids, but I have become very expierienced with the internet, web design, and computer programs.  I would be willing to clean houses, gardening, shopping, etc. for those working Moms that can't seem to find the time to do it themselves, and want to spend their days off with the kids.  Elderly people could benefit from this service also, as it is harder for them to get out and do these things anymore.  I am not afraid of working, and am a motivated individual, I just need to have the flexibity of the stay at home job.  So, if you know of anything that sounds like it would be great for me, or if you know anyone that could use my services, please let me know.  I am a trustworthy, honest individual that just needs a break right now.