95 Oldsmobile Achieva S Fuel Pump?

OK i have this 95 oldsmobile Acheiva S and to be honest i have no knowledge on cars and how to fix them...I have absolutely no knowledge on this subject at all. I was driving my car and had parked it to get my haircut and then when i tried to start it the car was like kind of "Puttering" and had trouble going...I had the gas mashed to the floor and it was going maybe 15 mph max...I ended up driving it to the mechanic and he was to busy to look at it but he said it could be the "Fuel Pump" from what he could see...I have also been told if it was the fuel pump it wouldn't run at all and it might be the fuel filter...My question is can someone explain to an absolute Lay Person how to look at this stuff and check and see whats going on...Is there an easy way to do it or does it need to be taken to the mechanic...My problem is that im unemployed and have no money to take to a mechanic so if it is an easy fix then id like to try it myself...Please if you answer try not to use to many tech terms because chances are i wont know what your talking about...Thanks