Spiroll's reply history at Help.com

The terms were extremely fair considering my husband and I set what our limits were regarding interest and payment terms. They didn’t accept us right away, but on our second attempt they did and it really gave us a break. The third time we used them our loan request was accepted almost immediately. :) When we’re “out of this hole” I plan to be one of the people who use it as an investment. I really do think it’s that good. Not to mention a novel idea…a different, and much needed, new approach.

I have gotten a loan through prosper.com - the people who give the money are actually just regular people like you and me - so it’s like an investment for them. You state what you’re willing to pay interest-wise, and the site tries to match you up with a loan. Be prepared to have a good story/reason for why you need the loan, though - I think the people who choose to lend do it based on more than just your scores…I think they really do take into account your situation. (And don’t make up a story…there’s no point in that.)

You can often use a different browser. Trying the old Mozilla browser might work. It does where I work. I think you can still download that - just do a search for it. I’m not talking about Firefox - it’s actually called Mozilla.

Of course, if you’re a minor trying to get around a site your parents blocked - don’t do that.

Just Friends

Try www.freecycle.org - I just joined a local one (it’s where people get rid of stuff for free instead of throwing it out - they recycle it, hence, freecycle). Anyway, I am a hard working mother of 3 kids - I am at work 65 hours a week, and not by choice. I have to. My husband works the same hours. We still can barely make ends meet - no, let me rephrase that, we are NOT making ends meet.

My little boy (4) loves matchbox cars - so I posted a “Wanted: Hotwheels or Matchbox cars for my son for X-mas” post. I got many responses and a whole lot of cars. People offer televisions, furniture, books, toys, etc. (I have given a lot of stuff away, too - like kids clothing.)

If you use freecycle - (and it’s free to join, of course) - just state in your ad that you are willing to travel to pick up whatever it is you’re asking for. Don’t ask for money, and don’t ask for someone to fix all of your problems…just ask for something you know your kids would really like to have. Like, a bike, or a DVD player and some kids DVDs or something.

Also, the Dollar Store is always a godsend.

I know kids…I have a 3, 15, and 17 year old. The older boys want money - and that’s not going to happen. But, if you know what music they like - and maybe have some online friends - you could make a list of music (or look on i-tunes for what’s hot right now) that they’d like - and ask your friends if they could burn a few CDs of good songs for your kids. I think it’s usually about 12 to 17 songs that fit on a CD.

Hope some of these idea help…Good luck to us both this holiday….