Girl on the Brink: Surviving Desperate Times with Desperate Measures

Day 54 — Sob Stories Get Paid

Darn. I missed Bailout Bill of Bailoutbooth.com. He came to town recently to hand out money in return for a sob story. I read about him in the paper and gave fleeting thought to hopping on the bus and standing in line. I’m glad I didn’t. Turns out, folks waited hours, and all Bill handed [...]

Day 53 — Medicaid Helps

Today I went for an eye appointment I made using my new Medicaid card. I couldn’t afford to stay on my former employer’s COBRA plan, which under federal law allows you to continue your health insurance at group rates. The premiums under my plan were about a $1,000 a month—for an HMO. I couldn’t swing [...]

Day 52 — What’s for Dinner?

A guy driving a Horizon Food truck drove by me as I was walking down the street. He yelled, “Are you hungry?” He drove another block more before he looked out the window and yelled again, “I’m Brent. Do you like steak?” My eyes popped out like a diver who’s ascended too fast from deep water. [...]

Day 51 — Job, Date Mismatches

When you sign up for Match.com, you get the Daily 5, which always makes me think of Powerball, without, unfortunately, the balls, in the bingo-like cage, that is. My matches are mismatches and remind me of the job-alert matches CareerBuilder.com sends me. I consider myself a pretty good writer, having written a book, syndicated column and [...]