Hello to all.  This is an interesting site…I am not here to ask for anyone’s money, prayers, or goods of any kind.  What I want is advice.  How do we find our way out of this hell hole?  That’s what I need is a true success story.  I don’t want to hear Dr. Phil preach from his tall chair ( has he ever been a single mom supporting two kids off 10 bucks an hour?)  and I so don’t want to hear the all mighty Oprah proclaim that “anything is possible if I just want it bad enough” …how many of us are going to become ultra famous entertainers who earn multi millions every month?  There are maybe just a handful of people in the entire world who have done what she has done, and she would be the first to tell, she has been “lucky”.  I’m just a regular person.  I never took drugs, or went to jail.  I didn’t get pregnant before marriage, or commit crimes.  I haven’t had big legal problems, or really caused any one any grief.  I have been married twice, both times to men I thought were decent, good men, but one became a total coke addict, and left me and our two girls for some bar chick he met, and I divorced my second husband because he sexually victimized our 15 year old daughter, and physically abused our sons.  I had to get out to protect the children.  
   That was seven years ago, and I just wonder, are things ever going to get better?  Am I ever going to get it right?  Most woman in my position just find someone elece to marry or get with, because it is easier, financially.  But that just doesn’t seem realistic for me, because A)- I don’t want to be with someone just for economic reasons, and B)- I am not thin, and lets just face it, men don’t seem to like chunky girls, even if we have a lot to offer as a companion, friend, lover etc. 
   I work full time in a job that I like, but it doesn’t pay much.  I keep this job because it has good insurance which I need for my kids, and it has paid sick/vacation, which is a comfort to me incase I have to miss work, I know I wont loose my job over it, or lose a days pay.  Two of my four children have disabilities, one has medication dependent epilepsy, and my 15 year old has autism and a visual impairment.  We have never received government assistance of any kind.  No food stamps, no disability assistance, nothing.  The state of Utah says I earn “to much” money (10 dollars per hour is “too much?”)  
   I also go to college, and I have had to pay for every over inflated fee my self, primarily with student loans.  Apparently, I am not eligible for any aid for college either.  I have chosen to work in a field that doesn’t really pay huge salaries, I help little kids and families who have disabilities.  Most of the work is very fulfilling, but is non profit.  I am not going to get wealthy this way.  I have tried to do other jobs, but it is hard to spend 40 hours a week selling crap on the phone, and with out a college degree, my choices are limited.  Getting my Bachelor’s Degree is going to take at least 3 more years.  I simply can not attend full time, and work full time and adequately supervise and care for my two boys.  I usually take 2-3 classes per semester, and I even attend during the summer if I don’t run out of money.  I find that I NEVER have enough to set money aside, to have emergency savings, so then when the inevitable happens, and my cars needs repair, or there’s a medical expense, or a holiday/birthday, I am stuck having to rob Peter to pay Paul, and end up in debt up to my eyeballs, and then I pay it back, but then the process starts all over again.  I can NEVER get ahead.  Most of the time, I am literally one check away from homeless-ness.  I don’t have family or friends to fall back on.  I have noticed that is the case with many of us.  My Mother died when I was 24, and my Father is estranged from the family, and has been for many,  many years.   Both if my siblings are extremely dysfunctional addicts, who basically have figured out ways to receive money from the states in which they live to sit home and drink, smoke and party.  Neither has ever worked long term, or made any progress since about the age of 15.  Oddly enough, even though they both get “assistance” from the state, they are both always with a significant other who pays all the bills.  People get beat up, thrown in jail, police visit…Kids don’t know who their daddy is, there are lots of 30 day stays in the nearest rehab/mental health hospital (at tax payers expense)….they are the neighbors you DON’T want to have.  But their needs seem to be met.  They both have large homes, brand new cars they paid cash for, go on cruses to Alaska.  Neither has a college degree, or a career.    
   I am just using them as an illustration of why it upsets and confuses me that I just cant catch a break.  I try to do the right thing.  I have been on my own since age 16, and I cant always chose the right thing, but I try.  I am kind to others, and I obey the law.  I believe in self sufficiency, and I have worked hard.  But none of that spares me from having to visit the local food bank, because the money runs out, and well, teenage boys need to eat.  None of my good choices produce good fortune, good karma, good luck, or anything like that.  I just get so weary of having to say no, of NEVER taking my kids on a vacation, of not having, of buying 2nd hand clothes, worrying about how I am going to pay back the check N go.  I remember one time I didn’t even have a quarter, literally, to put air in my faulty car tire.  I had painstakingly collected and used all spare change for gas a few days ago.  It was several days till payday. And I knew that because I had done the math wrong, my checking account was overdrawn, and not much would actually be left when I did get paid, and my direct deposit went in. 
   I am just so sick of living this way.  Shut off notices from the electric company, but then, somehow I find a way to pay (usually by borrowing) and then next month it’s the phone bill.  Its exhausting.  Mentally, spiritually, and even physically.  And speaking of spirituality, some well meaning folks think they’ve got my problem solved…If I would only find God, be “righteous”, read the Bible, all of my problems would work themselves out.  I am here to say, no offence but that’s just not how it works.  Many good Christian people are in this predicament, even though they are very religious, and perfectly worthy of Gods most decent gifts.  Many wicked people are whooping it up, having a great time, enjoying every minute of their good fortune, even though they don’t deserve it.  I was actually a very religious Mormon for 18 years, I did and said all the right stuff.  I carried the all important temple card, I paid my tithes, offerings, and donations ( to the tune of over 40 thousand dollars in an 18 year period) This is average for Mormons, singe they are expected to pay 10% of any and all earnings, that’s GROSS earnings, before taxes, plus 10% of any other kind of income you might have, plus offerings, paid monthly to support the churches missionary and other programs, plus other donations as well.  I am not sure how the LDS church can in good conscience take that kind of money from the working poor, most of whom have way to many mouths to feed, but they did, and they do now from their thousands of faithful members, who then have to turn around and file bankruptcy, because they cant pay the bills, and support the church at the same time.
   I have never filed bankruptcy, many people I know have, a couple have even filed repeatedly.  I guess I don’t know where I’m going with all of this, I am rambling on and on.  It is a complex subject.  So far, the solutions I have heard are; commit a crime,  (sorry, don’t want to go to jail) find a guy to marry, (I would mind if I could find the right guy, but its just not happening) file bankruptcy, go live with family members who can help me (I have none) Get a second job (so in my spare time, after working my first job 40-50 hours, and after school about 10 -15 hours per week, when my kids are sleeping and don’t need supervision??) I’ve heard I should “pray” or be prayed for ( I’m sorry, been there, done that)  It’s not that prayer has no value, it just doesn’t produce money, or change my situation at all.  So far I have left no stone unturned, but I am looking for fresh ideas.  Ways I can make more money, spend less money, or something.  Even if not for now but for the future, so I could have hope.  Right now, I have little hope, and I feel so low at starting yet another year in this pit.

I am a self employed Iattend school to become more marketable .To pursue a trade I have to go back to school to obtain additional education unless I will be working all of my life .I am a people person It is my duty to give to those less fortunate frm the heart earnestly maybe nothing more than advice . Sometimes it may be money the way god made me . I have helped people regardless of race or their religious backround .I would like to do things on a larger scale I have alway's wanted a youth organization . It would provide an outlet for some of these youngsters to release some of this energy in a positive manner . If I recieve any money I will be able to show how it is dispersed .A lot of people are irresponsible and look over the problem as its not theirs . When we all play a part in the survival of our future . It is scary to think that some of these kids will be in control when we get old . It takes a village to raise a child . I am very passionate about this When god is with you !Who can be against you ?Unity(Understanding negroes immediately troubled youth)  

Please help i am a single mum of three ages 13, 10 & 2, with a sick child (blood / bleeding disorder) debts coming out of my ears and no secure home (we have moved 23 times in 10 years) with childcare being such a nighmare i came to the decision to stop working for employers and instead have set up a busines and now work from home, although this is great for the children because they actually get a mum now instead of an exhusted robot things are difficult money wise.

In the long run this business will secure my childrens future, but i am falling before i even get started because of the debt my ex husband cleared off and left me in. we are about to lose our home again because of this debt.

My dream is to have somewher secure to live but for that i will need a deposit which is out of my reach to buy homes in the uk is ridiculously expensive! next is to be debt free, this will enable me to help myself and get the business off the ground & be a sucsess and lstly to give my children the time and future they deserve

I have no family who can help me and my ex certainley wont, his money covers the cost of his disgusting lifstlye as far as he concerned the kids dont fit into that. so i have no choice but to beg and pleed with any generous soul out there willing to offer advice and assistance.

Any excess money you send will be donated to the  ITP Foundation. (This is a charity both in the UK and USA that researchs the condition my daughter has) i will also donate to childline thank you in advance

A Hug Certificate for You!

This poem is very sweet. It will be interesting to see who sends it back. Forward this on and back. I'm counting on you not to let me be the number one type person on the list below, but if you've got better things
to do, then at least you'll prevent me from being the number six type. Thanks!

If I could catch a rainbow I would do it just for you
and share with you its beauty
On the days you're feeling blue.

If I could build a mountain

You could call your very own;
A place to find serenity,
A place to be alone.

If I could take your troubles
I would toss them in the sea,
But all these things I'm finding
are impossible for me.

I cannot build a mountain
Or catch a rainbow fair,
But let me be what I know best,
A friend who's always there.

                    This is a Hug Certificate!!

Send One to All Your Friends You Think Deserve A
Hug (Which, Hopefully Includes the Person Who
Sent It to You).

You might send it to your enemies as well! It'll really tic 'em off!

If you don't receive this back .. nobody likes you, and they wish you'd stop bugging them.

If you receive this back 1 time ... Open up! Find more friends, enemies, or enemies pretending to be friends ...

If you receive this back 2 times ... You're off to a good start ... unless you sent it to yourself. that's cheating!

If you receive this back 3 times. You're a good friend

If you receive this back 4 times ...... You are popular,
-- I wanna be just like you.

If you receive this back 5 times or more. There are Angels watching over you....

If you get this back many more times than that, for cryin' out loud, get off the computer and get a life!

Hello all, I am currently a stay at home mom who filed for divorce. For the last few years my stbx would leave and not come home for up to a week at a time, I later found out that he had a drug problem. I'm an intelligent person but for the life of me I don't know why I waited for 2 1/2 years before I made the move to divorce him. It took me that long to gather the strength. Well, since this time my stbx has taken all of our money out of our joint account and will only "take" me to the store to purchase necessities. It is humiliating, we are currently living together until the divorce is final because I have no place to go at this time.

I have goals to go to nursing school, write a book and continue to be an excellent mother. All of which are within my reach but I have no stepping stones for when the divorce is final. I'm so affraid of the divorce - my stbx tells me that I will regret divorcing him (in trial) but I have done nothing wrong in our marriage. This man was gone for 2 days prior to Christmas last year - not exactly what I want my child to ever have to experience again in his whole life.

I want to be able to get on my feet and get my son into a safer enviroment. If you can contribute - I will be greatful. I have no idea how this works - I have no intention of being needy the rest of my life. I have clear plans to help me attain the future that I need. Nursing school costs just under $8000, which I find amazing - I thought it would be more. If you contribute - I will happily send class schedules or grades as they come.

Being a mother has given me strength and courage that I never had before and I look forward to my bright future.

Thanks for reading and please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

• where our economy went wrong

I am a 33 year ld mum of three, trying desperatley to get out of the fincial & emotional mess my ex husband left us in.

I am trying to create a secure enviroment and future for my children.

I am also trying to set up my business which is a fantastic idea but requires money to start up

I am trying to help myself, but a little need help to do that.

please help me I need to start a live with my kids I need help to find them a place to live to we need a place to stay we are in need of money to move to a new place to start our lives we need help doing that with a grant  I can build a better future for my kids so please help to build a stable live for my kids

I am a student currently at a community college for the costs. I would really like to apply to some big schools out in California to go into engineering in the Silicon Valley area. It would be my dream if I could afford it, but because I’m not a California resident, tuition is extraordinarily high. I'm looking for scholarships or grants that could help me do what I would like to do.

I'm a 22 year old single mom.  I've finally realized that my baby's father (my boyfriend) is not going to be any support to our son in the future.  I know that I've got to bet a better education so that we can have a good life and I can give him the things my parents gave me.  I've made some mistakes in my life, but I'm ready to put the past behind me and look to the future.

I've been accepted to the local tech school to study medical assisting, now I have to put together the money I need to support myself and pay for my school.

Any assistance or resources would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you

 I am a pour person and i need your help to become a Lawyer,please its my dream to help others. I know that there is some one who can help me with my needs .THANK YOU and GOD bless you.

Phather of 3 kids and desperate to be some one.

   I am a single mother with 2 children living at home with me. I have a lot of dream's for our future but as soon as I think I have the plan's for my future figured out... everything fall's apart. I do not have much money, but I do my best. I am not asking anyone for a hand out... I just have never been taught how to budget and how to get where i want to be in life, and quit frankly... I feel a little lost.

I feel like I will never get out of this rut that I have put myself in. I just need someone to help me figure out what I need to do in life so I can give my children a better future.

Hello, I am 22 yrs old and pursuing on my only dream- to become an Airline Pilot. I am a national of Sri Lanka and hold a Private Pilot's License since 2005. I managed to pay for this financially with the help of my family, which I am very thankful for. But, in order for me to work as a Pilot, I need to have a Commercial Pilot's License and I do not have the funds for this. I have been trying to find a way to collect the money to finish my training for the past 3 yrs but nothing has worked so far. To enroll for the cheapest Commercial Pilot's License course available in the U.S., I will need 20'000 - 25'000 USD. This amount is too big for me and my family. We don't have savings, either a house or land to sell. I cannot get a study loan as we don't own any property to mortgage. I am blessed with enough food, shelter and support, and I believe that will help me get to my ambition.

I need to repay all those who have helped me come this far, especially my family, once I earn an income of my own. I need to build a house for my parents, so that they can rest at ease while I go to work. I need to start providing for all those around me. I want to support others who are just like me, who has the determination but is unable to pay for their studies.

Please, don't let money come in the way of my future. If you are willing to give me a loan, I promise to study hard, earn my license, find a job and repay you. I need a favor to get through this part of my life, a flight is waiting for me, I need your help to get on it. Thank you for caring enough to read this. I sincerely wish that all your dreams & ambitions come true.

If you wish to contact me, my email is captshai@yahoo.com

Nothing is small for me, even a little help or a word of support can keep me  going, I have learnt not to give up. It is by going through turbulence, that one will see the beauty of clear skies - Shai

In 2005 I was on business in Russia and met a Russian woman with a child.  We feel desperately in love and sustained our love through visits to Russia by me, to America by her, and by telephone and e mail.  Ours is no Internet romance nor is she a "mail order bride."  We married in April 2007during her first visit to America.  Our daughter is almost seven.  My wife cannot leave Russia until a debt is repaid to her ex-husband.  She and her ex bought this apartment jointly with her parents.  He abandoned her when our daughter (his biologically) was 13 months old.  In order to make our dreams come true--being united and living in America--we need between $25-30,000. 

We need an angel who will co-sign for a loan so that I can pay this debt and bring them here. I love my wife and our little girl--I'll never call her "step-daughter."  I will pay interest to you for a co-sign.  I'll do anything you ask short of criminal activity.  I am unable to get extra credit to take to Russia to pay this debt.  Please consider helping in any way you can.  Thank you.

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Either way is good - the important thing is your participation. On Aidpage, people support each other by speaking out and by paying attention to each other - as simple as that.

Feel free to participate in this public group space.

Two easy ways to do this:

1. Add a comment or a question here - on this page... or on any other page in this space.
   
2. Or, if you want to start a separate thread - make a new page.

Either way is good - the important thing is your participation. On Aidpage, people support each other by speaking out and by paying attention to each other - as simple as that.