MY CAR HAS A BURNING RUBBER SMELL AND THE STEERING IS GETTING A LITTLE HARDER. PLEASE HELP, I AM A WOMAN WITH NO MECHANIC EXPERIENCE AND I AM TRYING TO KNOW A LITTLE SOMETHING BEFORE I TAKE IT TO A MECHANIC.

Hi sounds like you may have a fan belt tensioner problem, could be seized causing the fan belt to slip that will give you your burning rubber smell, if it is the power steering belt that will also cause the steering to become hard

The burning rubber smell may be a slipping belt; as the belt slips it will literally overheat to a point it has a burning smell (it will not burst in to flames though) The belt I would expect, given you issue, is that of the power steering pump. If the pump is beginning to sieze (not wanting to turn) the belt may begin to spin on the pump pulley. Curious if you have any noise of the belt slip, typically a high-pitched squeal? If the belt is slipping it should have a glazed or shinny look to it. In writting I come to think that just the belt itself may be old/worn, not to proper tension and causing the issue. In short if this is the issue it may be as simple of replacing the belt and put to proper tension or poosibly the power steering pump has begun to fail. The attached image may help

http://www.autorepairfacts.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/worn-belts.jpg
I hope this may have assisted you,
Tom