By the time I realized that George hadn’t kept up the house payments, it was too late. After getting home from the supermarket, I walked up to my front door and there was a notice on it, “Foreclosure sale, Monday August 12.” Thinking that it was a mistake, I brought the paper closer so I could read the fine print. Unfortunately, it was my address. Feeling shocked and suddenly saddened, I realize that in less than a month I will be homeless because there is no way I can come up with that kind of money before the sale.

I could never ask Sam for help because I turned down...