America's Money: In their own words

Unemployed, 24, Salt Lake City, Utah
I am a 24-year-old single mother to my 4-year-old son, Ashton. I have been working temp jobs for the last two years. It seems to be hard finding a permanent job these days.

A few months ago I sold my 1995 Dodge Neon after it broke down again. (I had put more into the car than it was worth.) And I have been paying almost $200 a week to rent a car. I can't afford it much longer.

I filed a Chapter 7 bankruptcy last year. I had about $36,000 in debt and none of it was from credit cards. While that was a relief, I'm still struggling to pay my son's medical bills. He has asthma and we haven't had health insurance for the last two years.

The economy is in bad shape right now and it's even harder for single moms. I also have student loans that aren't due yet but I will be dropping out (temporarily) next semester due to not being able to afford school.

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