Well... you may have already thought of this and discarded it as a solution and I hate to give FREE advice...but what about the Massachusetts program that pays 20k bonuses for new high school teachers that are trained and admitted each year? Others get teacher training scholarships but no bonuses.

And the Bank of America has mortgage loans of up to $252,700 available to teachers nationwide so you can buy a home with little or no downpayment. If your credit is clean you qualify for 100% financing. If you have some spots on your credit you might have to pay3% of a homes cost.

If you haven't already done this, I think you would make a great high school teacher, Peg. College teaching is overrated and unless you are on the tenure track, as you know, they exploit you unmercifully. !!!
Single women need their own homes. It's likely your biggest and best investment in life!! See this months Kiplinger's (May) for more details p90...

In the meantime, do not worry. You will not be a baglady! But most women worry about this!!!!!
hg