Ok, I know it's hard but you need to put Smokey aside for a bit. Yes, you need to answer the financial questions, but don't let that consume all your energy. Just start writing down everything you spent on the house maintenance and kids while Smokey was gone. Also document the condition of the house when he left. (Is he anticipating some profit from the sale of the house?).
As for budget...you MUST learn to budget. You can't live like this, not knowing whete your money is going and coming up short at the end of the month.
First things first....have you received the reimbursement for your moving expenses yet?
Second....when do you get your next paycheck? Will it cover rent and car payment when it arrives?
Third ....until rent and car are paid, you don't spend on anything else. No counselor, no tutor, these are luxuries you simply cannot afford this month. No eating out, eat up everything in the house then buy a big bag of dried beans and rice to eat for a week. Dried oats and powdered milk, and potatoes. The money saved on groceries for a week or two will help you get ahead.
Get out some paper envelopes and start an envelope system for budgeting. You really need this system. Make an envelope for each major expense: rent, electric, car insurance, groceries by week (week one grocer, week two etc...separate envelope for each), clothing, entertainment, insurance etc. Write the amounts available in the budget for each item. Don't forget to save for episodic expenses (for instance, if you have to pay $240 next year for car registration, put $20 a month into that envelope) . When you get paid you take the cash and divvy it into the envelopes (some, like entertainment and clothing may need th o stay empty for a couple of months). Only spend what the envelopes allow....for instance, if you only have $10 left in the grocery envelope and have two days left, it's top ramen or beans and rice until the end of the week.
Trust me, this system will keep you honest and on track. Do it together with D20...it's a skill she needs to learn too, and she's old enough to learn what it costs to run a household.
You can do this, but you need to get over your ostrich-head - in-the -sand approach to money.
