How to spend $500

Her story: "With the extra money, I want to be able to pay all my bills on time, with my mortgage as bill No. 1. Then my electric bill, car payment and car insurance. Of course, I would love everything to be on time. That is my goal one day, once the economy gets better.

My husband and I have been paying most of our bills two weeks to one month late. I pick the bills that have no late charge or the smallest late charge and pay those last.

We paid off our credit cards with our 2007 taxes. But I was out of work for the first six months of 2008, and with the increasing prices of food and gas, we are now $12,000 in credit card debt.

At times we even had to borrow $200 to $400 from our amazing family, who has been such a great support to us. They don't ask for the money back, but one day we would love to repay them. Now is not possible.

I can just imagine what other people are going through. I'd like to use the money to catch up and to not stress so much anymore. I know this is all I need to get back on track." - as told to Lara Moscrip

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