My cat hair is coming out in patches and I noticed his ear seems brittle and a piece tearing off what is this?

I was told by a vet in februrary 2011 that my male cat was 1 and a half years old, I am concerned as I am noticing patches of his hair coming out and his ear tearing. I am now unemplyed so I don't have the finances to take him to a vet, How can I help him ?