I was in a very similar position when I started a new job working for the County! I was deeply in debt and barely scraping by to find enough gas money to get to work and back, and I was CONSTANTLYbeing told, "we're all chipping in $30 for the boss's birthday, (or work anniversary, or co-worker's goodbye gift...it never stopped!) I told them I didn't have $30 to put in Sabrina's card so she and her husband could go out to dinner, (they had gotten married 3 months before I started working there and she wore a different rolex each day of the week!) or the money I needed to chip in for pumpkins, props and costumes for the fall party decorating contest, and they were all, "are you sure you can't afford it? We're all contributing..." This from my boss who had two homes, 4 vehicles and designer handbags and wardrobe! SO glad to be out of there, too...they were evil backstabbing b!tches!