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Yes. For example, if the joint sponsor is her father, who is not part of her/your household, then he can use his income for a second I-864 (your wife is always your primary sponsor and must fill out an I-864), and her mother/his wife can fill out an I-864a, and so can any of their children who live with them, or any other family member who lives with them. You can only have two I-864s (sponsors), but each I-864 can have as many I-864a forms as required, though don't go overboard. 

Yep. This might as well be a PSA on its own. I first found out via reddit (/u/tvtoo who's done exceptional research work on everything), and there have been some users who had success in states where I-797s did nothing, after they've printed out the stuff he/she told them to print out, but it took time, effort, and patience.
 
For that reason, I don't know if it qualifies as a PSA--yes, you are eligible for a driver's license; no, it won't be an easy process and you'll have to fight for it. 

People do all kinds of things. You can start a job search today. 
Some are, some aren't. It depends on what they're looking for. If I were to quit my job today, I would give at least a 3-4 week notice to set up a proper transition plan. Any future employer of mine would have to wait if we were to proceed, so it's not out of ordinary for an employer to wait if they really want you to work for them. 
So far so good. An employment letter with a letter from yourself explaining the financial loss stemming from not accepting the employment is 90% of the battle. 
Do you have current work authorization to work for any employer? No. 
 
Do you require sponsorship? No. 
 
The answer to the first question will weed out the types of employers who just couldn't care to consider you with the wait. 
 
After your initial interview, if it goes well, mention that you are waiting for your EAD and if you both agree on the employment contract, you would be expediting the application, which could take 3-4 weeks, possibly more. 
 
If they're not OK with that either, then move on. 

Man, if anyone came to us, come right ahead, but if they asked our neighbors... Half would respond honestly and in kind, and the other half would go on a tangent about illegals in the country, damn us all. They don't know I'm not American, and won't find out unless they pry and it's on our terms to tell them. I've heard enough from them about "other folks". 
 
Dangerous game in some places. 

Quite frankly, they could have just miscalculated the total, or misplaced one of the too many money orders. 
 
Why do you have that many money orders? Just create one. There is no reason to have three money orders for $2, $140, and $85. I assume $499 x 2 is something related to under $500 something? 
 
This is goofy. Go somewhere that can write one check. 

It's still an error on USCIS's part. Anyone who's been married less than 2 years should be granted a conditional card.

So, even if she were able to self sponsor, how would she sponsor herself without a job? 
 
Definitely need to figure out your priorities. Try harder to keep a job like most other people are. Get a joint sponsor. The sooner you apply, the sooner she can start working as well. What a mess. 

More planning should have been done in advance. I personally am tired of seeing people going through this process only to realize later that at every stage it costs, one - money, two, they have to be able to sponsor and prove financially they can support someone. If someone can't even afford the AOS fees and prove sponsorship, how are they honestly bothering to keep up a foreign relationship and international travel? Plan a head!!

It's very common on the K1 forum, but you're right, not so much on interview writeups. 
 
I'm guessing people who do interview writeups usually either had a really good experience, or a really bad experience--usually the former. Kind of like restaurant reviews, except switched. But not many in between. 
 
So thank you for sharing! I'm sure it will help calm some nerves. 

We didn't get any sort of verbal approval, only "we'll make a decision in 90-120 days." I think a lot of my unfounded anxiety stemmed from not seeing a ton of interview write-ups mention not getting approved right away (or within a few hours) or being put into review, despite it being totally common. Let it be known! 

Yep, we were technically approved on the spot, as in "you're approved, I'll order the card," and the status changed to "card is in production" about an hour or so after we left the interview. Our IO was obviously a supervisor, and told another IO that she'll be with him in a minute when he was asking a question while she was walking us out. Totally normal, and it's a matter of luck about who gets which IO, though maybe some real complicated cases go to more experienced people. 

That is correct. You can "switch" to your AOS EAD as soon as you receive it, by letting HR know your work authorization documentation changed. 
 
You're not allowed to travel outside the US before you receive the AP (and after you applied for AOS and the associated AP) without abandoning your application. 
 
In almost all cases, AP and EAD are on the same combo card. 

Yup, while you're in the AOS limbo period of changing Status (i.e. getting your Green Card), my understanding is you can still fulfill the obligations of your current status whether it be Student, Work, etc.

How the companies themselves handle the marriage to a USCIT is then contingent on the company.  A lot of Au Pairs (both some of my wife's friends and some stories on Facebook/Forums/Etc.) either end up leaving the program early or wrap up their contract.  Either way, they're in the "Pending Status" AOS limbo.

Thanks everyone for the replies and comments!!! 😊
 

Well, as you can see, lots of people are applying, and lots of people are applying, and lots of people are also applying... It'll get far worse before, or if, it gets better.
if I were you, I'd tone it down a bit... You don't have to by any means, but I would write something along the lines of:
 
To whom it may concern,
 
My name is Northerndynasty, and I am the beneficiary of the Adjustment of Status application, case number MSC###.  I am currently employed by Gov't on TN status, which expires on August X, 2019, and after which Gov't will not be able to continue to employ me without valid employment authorization.  I respectfully request that my Employment Authorization Document (MSC###) be expedited to ensure that I can continue my employment without interruption.
 
I am a valuable member of the Gov't ABC team, as is evidenced by the letter from Gov't, dated X, attached to this package.
 
In addition, not being able to continue my employment after the expiration of my current status will cause severe financial loss to me and my family.  My household depends on the income from my job, as my spouse is currently <XYZ>, which is not enough to cover existing expenses.  In support of this, please find attached:
 
- a recent mortgage payment, to which my salary contributes X%
- a recent auto payment, to which my salary contrbutes Y%
- our family health insurance plan, provided by my employer
- recent insurance and utility bills, to which my salary contributes Z%
 
As well as our most recent tax return, showing the breakdown of income for me and my spouse.  <and any other additional documentation you wish to provide>.
 
Personally, I feel that describing what you're providing as evidence and why, is more important than tugging on their heartstrings about how you'll be literally homeless otherwise.
I personally included all of that, but yeah, technically you don't have to.  My reasoning is, the officer reviewing my expedite case has to find my I765, and all the evidence that goes with it to make sure it's in order.  They also have to dig up my I485 to make sure that's in order.  So I submitted the marriage certificate (why I have the I485) and all I765 documentation, so they can find the form itself, look at the evidence, and call it even.

You could schedule your own urine test to see what shows up. 
 
Fwiw, my civil surgeon only asked about past or present drug abuse, not if I had tried any drugs in general. 
 
I don't believe most even test for drugs; they have to test for TB, syphylis, and other conditions if needed. A drug test is not part of I693, and many (most?) medical professionals interpret "drug abuse" as, "systemic drug use with addiction", rather than occasional use, especially with marijuana. Plus, a urine test (or other tests used for drug use) is an additional cost that is not part of the package, so I don't see why anyone would throw in a "freebie". 
 
You could always just not complete the I693 and go to the interview without it. They will give you an RFE as a "can't complete your case before we get it", and you'll submit it after the interview. 

I’d say get of VJ and get a competent immigration attorney. After a Stokes interview, the do it yourself boat has sailed. Time to bring in the big guns = attorneys.
 
Yes the discrepancies in your address affect the situation of course. Keeping your name on Section 8 housing while not living there also implies you’re dishonest. USCIS don’t know your heart, they can only go by the data they collect and the interview and from what you’re telling us, they are justified in questioning the legitimacy of your marriage.
 
Your evidence doesn’t convince me, so I can understand why it didn’t convince them. Filing taxes separate etc, and that’s AFTER a Stokes interview, who does that knowing you’re already being viewed suspiciously?
 
I wish you the best, it doesn’t look good, at all.

***Topic moved to Working and Traveling during US Immigration as post regards EAD****

Oh wow, I take that back I guess. 
 
I haven't been asked if I've ever used drugs, just if I have any history of drug abuse. I do not (and would have tested clean regardless). I also don't live in a state that allows even medical marijuana. 
 
My suggestion to OP would then be to do a private drug test to see what shows up, and just not do the I-693 exam if it's positive. Delays the case, but better than getting a ban. 
 
Opinions on marijuana use notwithstanding on any side of the argument. 

Fair enough on the unnecessary risk I guess, but I don't think you guys are right. I-693 instructions online still say that you can bring it with you to the interview, and I-485 instructions still say 
 
"You are NOT required to submit Form I-693 at the time you file your adjustment application, but may do so if you wish. Because of the time-limited validity of Form I-693, you may choose to submit your Form I-693 after you file your Form I-485. You may also submit Form I-693 in person at an interview in a USCIS field office, if an interview is required. By waiting to submit Form I-693, you may avoid having to repeat the immigration medical examination."
 
The policy document states that 
 
" A Form I-693 is valid only when a civil surgeon signs it no more than 60 days before the date an applicant files the application for the underlying immigration benefit; and USCIS 
adjudicates the application within 2 years from the date of the civil surgeon’s signature."
 
So the (E: I meant) earliest you can get it signed is 60 days before filing. There is nothing about getting it signed after. And the reasoning for the policy update appears to make it easier for applicants and officers, so they don't have to keep requesting new forms, as they're now valid for two years--so the 60 days before rule is to avoid people using old I-693 forms they already have filled out prior as part of the application. 
 
"USCIS is now updating the way the current maximum 2-year validity period is calculated to enhance operational efficiencies and reduce the need to request updated Form I-693 from applicants." 
 
E: I mean, at the end of the day, I fully support doing everything right on the first try since they might deny the whole thing off the bat, but I just don't see how there is any basis to do so in this case. The documentation is pretty clear. Then again, I ain't advocating fighting USCIS so there's that. 

I'm confused, I don't see where anything has changed on submitting I-693 at the time of the interview? It couldn't have been signed more than 60 days before filing, but says nothing about days after filing. Instructions still say:
 
"If you are applying for adjustment of status, you may submit Form I-693 in one of the following ways:
Submit Form I-693 by mail, together with your Form I-485, Application to Register for Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, to the location specified for your Form I-485 (see “Direct Filing Addresses for Form I-485”). Submit Form I-693 by mail, after filing your Form I-485, to the location specified in your most recent communication with USCIS (for example, a Request for Evidence letter from USCIS). Submit Form I-693 in person, at an interview in a USCIS field office (if an interview is required)." So why can't OP just wait to do the medical until later and submit it at the time of the interview? 

Don't have to submit it unless any of your documents are in different names. 
 
Personally, my birth certificate has a different last name than my passport due to a legal name change; I submitted the name change certificate because I imagine it wouldn't make sense otherwise. I assume it's expected, because I had to do the same when I was getting a passport in Canada; in fact, getting a replacement passport in my legal name, which I changed when I turned 18, was an issue without the certificate that I changed my name in the first place--even though my previous passport was in that name. 
 
So I personally would include that paperwork to be safe, but the instructions don't explicitly mention it I don't think.

If the PDF isn't letting you fill in a valid value in Acrobat Reader on a PC or Mac, double check to make sure you didn't inadvertently skip a question where the answer affects the question you're on.
 
For question 1 in part 5 on the I-864, the answer is automatically copied from the answer for question 29 in part 3.

Yes, but if USCIS doesn't email you the forms and give you courtesy calls, then how would you know? By researching the process yourself? Or thinking that the "valid until" date means anything? 

Yes, but if USCIS doesn't email you the forms and give you courtesy calls, then how would you know? By researching the process yourself? Or thinking that the "valid until" date means anything? 

Looking at the entirety of your post and in what forum you posted this.
 
You had a K-1 visa interview.
 
You had no more communication from the USA government after the interview. That means no one called you to pick up the passport and visa.
 
You got married. Without a passport and visa, that means you got married in the country where you had the interview, and not the USA.
 
So bad news for you. You are no longer eligible to enter the USA on a K-1 visa. You have to contact USCIS to cancel your petition, and tell the embassy/consulate that you are now married.
 
The USA citizen now has to file an I-130, and you get to wait to apply for a CR-1.
 
If perhaps you exaggerated, and did get contacted by the embassy to pick up your passport and visa, you did enter the USA, and you did get married, then yes indeed, it is normal for the government to not send you instructions after point of entry. You had 90 days to get married and file for adjustment of status.