This puts your money woes into perspective (our National Debt Clock, taken while we were at AWP in early February).
This might help! If you'd like to earn a scholarship to attend Lighthouse workshops, or workshops from any AWP member organization, check it out:
Each year WC&C offers one scholarship each in poetry and fiction to
attend one of our member programs. Two scholarships of $500 will be
awarded. These scholarships are granted to attend WC&C programs only
and as such we are currently accepting entries. The deadline for
submissions is March 30, 2008. The competition is open to all of
your past, current, or future attendees. For complete rules and
guidelines please visit: http://writersconf.org/scholarship/index.php