:Vocalo.org

Cathy McManamey went back to school at age 51 to become a therapist, and took out student loans to do it. She’s now 69 years old and, having been making payments faithfully for eight years-- $22,000 and counting-- still owes almost as much as she borrowed in the first plac: $38,000. 

She’s on a graduated-repayment plan, meaning that her payments will be going up until the loan is paid off… 20 years from now, when she is 89 years old.  She wrote a pretty moving letter to President Obama about her situation in early March and posted a copy to a web site called studentloanjustice.org.

She talked with :Vocalo.org host Tom on May 15, 2009

Vocalero linaramona calls the Hotline offering to sell her brand new, never used Cuisinart. She received it as a wedding gift, only to realize later that she was neither the marrying type, nor a Cuisinart kind of gal.

 Robert thinks that forgiving $550 billion in student loan debt would be the best economic stimulus money could buy.   He's got a Facebook group with 188,000 members (as of May 7, 2009) and a new web site:  www.forgivestudentloandebt.com.

In May we are exploring debt. One way to stay out of debt is to sell stuff you don’t want any more. So we are turning Vocalo.org into a radio flea market, with one special rule: everything you sell must have a story to go along with it. Here is how you can get in on the action:

1. Call 888-635-1112 and press 2.

2. Tell us what you are trying to sell. Include a price.

3. Tell us the story behind what you are trying to sell. Were you wearing that sweater the day something important happened? Is there a funny story about the aunt who owned those dishes?

4. Leave contact information where people who want to buy it can reach you.

We will feature your stories on-air and online. Check below for some of the new hot items:

Broke Lawyer Trades Legal Services

Cuisinart

Drum Kit

Wedding Ring

Stan Sells Sale Signs

Couch for sale before Cross Country Move

Family Photo