I've done something different. An older lady (75) at our church needed a place to stay. I have a room. I found out her kids had spent all and I do mean ALL her savings. So I asked her to move in with me for awhile until she can pay off a few bills (that the kids ran up) and get in financial shape. I said, if we like each other, and you want to stay, then we'll discuss rent. You need to pay for your own food, your part of the utilities (I know at least water consumption will increase) and keep your room clean.

She said "how about wild parties?" LOL. She has a dog, and we had a dog meet and greet to see how my two dogs and her's got along. My dogs hate each other now, but they both love her and her dog, so this was great.

So far, I have had so much fun having her around, I can't believe it.

I'm trying to set proper boundaries. She's diabetic, and I think she wasn't getting anything nutritious to eat at her kids (which she was paying the rent for, btw), so I've been making dishes and saying "hey - wanna try this?". We buy separate groceries, but its so much fun to set down and eat with her, and watch tv, and just talk.

This may turn into additional income, but I am not charging her more than $100 or $150 a month plus utilities (and maybe gas money if necessary).

I've been so concerned about money. I made the goal of saving $828 a month, and have had to spend that money on emergencies (of course, that means i didn't take it out of the emergency fund - so it still is working). I had vet bills, car bills, house bills (don't tell appliances you need to save - they immediately break). But suddenly I feel rich, because I could help someone out and she's helping me and cheering me up.

WOOHOOO - life is filled with good things.