Hey guys... new dude here.
Before i get to the details, I just wanna say that I just wrote a huge post, and it got deleted (i think) cause I apparently wasn't logged in. 'Back' function didn't work either.. so I lost the message.

Anyway...

I recently took a trip to Pittsburgh from Toronto. No problem for my reliable 89. However on the trip I noticed the car was struggling going up hills. I wasn't weighed down or anything, but the car was noticeable sluggish going up hills?
So I took'er easy on the trek, made it back fine (a little slower than intended). The VERY NEXT time I went to start the car, I had some problems. I usually let it run for about a minute before I take off, I got outta the car and noticed the exhaust was a little heavier from the pipe, so I popped the hood, and I swore I could have heard some sparking/arching going on. I shut the car off, and the next time I went to start it, the thing wouldn't go. It turns over, just doesn't start.

So clearly I have little knowledge about cars. I can change the oil and the plugs, and that's about all I know.

I don't think its the coil/plugs cause there is a charge going through the cables.

So I need some advice here... I don't have fatherly resources, and none of my friends are good with cars. Im a college student with extremely low funds, and need my car back in working order in a few weeks. I can get away with walking 5 minutes to campus.. but I can't get away with walking 2 hours to work when school is over in a few weeks!!

I was thinking (bare with me here), that perhaps it had something to do with the fuel pump, just because the car was suffering going up hills when the front of the car was higher than the back (this is how us uniformed think)?????
I wouldn't know how to test this thought though.. not sure how to see if fuel is getting to engine... I think pump is in rear of car, but again, wouldn't know anything about going about this?

Some friendly advice is needed, and perhaps some info on cost if I were to take it to a mechanic?

maybe your fuel pump is dead? that's just my speculation, given how the car behaved before dyin. anyway, if you're a college kid (like me), to save a lotta money, buy the part yourself from like autozone and find a good mechanic that'll put the part u bought for a low price. cuz that's where they tend to rip you off at. like...i needed to get my water pump changed and midas was chargin me like $400 for the whole thing includin fluid drain. bought the part myself for like 40 bux and found a guy who'd install it for 80 bux = saving a lotta money.

check your cap and rotor. Mine had never been changed and it was fubared. If not then check the MAF. Both easy self installers. It will take about 5 min to install. The cap and rotor are only like 25 bucks at autozone.