2002 Saturn L100 Electrical or computer?

Electrical problem
2002 Saturn L100 4 cyl Automatic 47,500 miles

I'm sorry that I can't afford to give you a donation - I'm going to need every penny to fix my car, as I understand it. All of a sudden my car, while driving it, started to flash its' lights, the security lights and others flash, the inside dash lights go on and off, I have gas and then I don't, have gas and then I don't. This happened on New year's day the first time. I thought that perhaps if I turned it off, perhaps the problem would go away. Guess what? I couldn't get the car into drive, reverse, anything. Finally, I realized that if I start the car and immediately put it into reverse or whatever, then it's okay. I used it a little since then but nothing happened until today again. Same stuff!@ Have you ever heard of this happening and is it going to cost me an arm and a leg? I need my arms and legs! Times are really, really hard. Thanks - hope you answer this really quick-like, but probably not since I didnt' give you a donation. Sorry, but I really can't at this time. Am on disability and am only a lovely 57 year old woman.