Times really are hard for those of us working in the administrative field.  I don't have a college education, but took a lot of classes to make me good at my job.  Except now I'm middle aged.  I've just been laid off for the second time in a year, different company, same reason, downsizing.  The first time I was ok, had some money to get me through a few months if needed, first company gave me severence.  This time, no luck.  This company claimed they are broke, couldn't give me severence, and took me out just before Christmas.  Nice.  I have a large house payment and a car payment.  I've already been on interview and sent my resume out to whoever I could.  I've exhausted the possiblilties.   I took my car to carmax to sell it, but they would only agree to give me enough to cover my loan (and I don't owe that much more on it).  That's really not going to help me, I need enough money to get me through till I find another job.  I don't have any money in savings because of problems that happened with the house throughout the year.  I'm broke.  I have been living paycheck to paycheck these past couple of months.  Now with no paychecks coming in and who knows when unemployment is going to send me a check, it still won't cover my mortgage payments... and my bills... and food.  I'm broke and will probably go into foreclosure in a month.  It won't be because I took a liar loan out, it won't be because I've overspent on my credit cards... it will just be because I lost my job, and my house had some issues, but mostly because the economy is taking out the middle class.  That's who I am, a middle class, middle aged, single woman who has done nothing but worked her whole life and the only thing I have to show for it, is my house, and now I'm going to lose it.  I've been nothing but an honest, loyal, hard working woman, never stole, good credit, never did any faudulant activities, always done the right thing.   I need help now.  Not loan, I can't afford to pay another loan back on my type of salary.  I need a gift.  A gift from someone who can afford to give one.  Or I'm going to lose my house and probably my cats (my babies).