What is answer to these problems?

Family 1 - Leave these people alone unless you plan to ask their advice.

Family 2 - These are people that need to seek help and stand a chance of becoming a family 1 family. The possible solutions include a debt management company like Consumer Credit Counseling Service. They need to establish a budget and stick to it. If their housing and other expenses are too high, then they need to cut back, even if they have to move. They also need to cut up credit cards and think about consolidating. Depending on how far they are in debt, this could take years.

Family 3 - While their struggle seems useless, there are things that can be done. First, they need to see to it that everything is being done to keep expenses down. The electric bill is a good example. There is federally subsidized housing that only charges a small fee based on your income. Make sure that they are receiving all federal and state benefits that they are entitled. If they are able, they should seek job training or some other means to make their life a little better.

Which family are you? No matter whether your are family 1, 2 or 3, there is hope. The primary thing that must be done is to educate everyone that learning to managing their finances is absolutely for their peace of mind. With vast amount of information on internet providing help, this is possible.

If you are a family 2 or 3 family, "The Complete Budget and Bill Organizer" http://www.homemoneyhelp.com/BBOonline.html can help.

* Food. Ah, wonders of elbow macaroni...it's delicious and artistic! Create a dry pasta portrait, or an edible picture with slices of cucumbers or olives for eyes, small carrots for noses, a slice of bell pepper for a mouth, whipped cream hair--anything goes!

* Hands-On. In other words, finger painting! The secret to having fun with this hands-on technique is to use only your hands and fingers--no brushes. Double fingerprints, one inside other, work great for eyes. Apply dark lipstick on your lips and kiss paper to add a mouth!

* Artistic. Object painting can become very addictive once you get started, so go through your garage sale box to find plenty of "canvases." Paint portraits on clear dinner plates, keepsake boxes, T-shirts, tote bags, and any other object that lacks pizzazz.