Camera Crisis

My camera which works perfect fine no longer will communicate with my computer via the little usb cord. It's not the cord that's at fault, how I wish it were that simple. The receptacle that accepts the usb in the camera has broken off inside the camera. I'm so bummed since I have a ton of pix to share with you all. Now I'm trying to decide if this is the universe saying it's time for a new camera or if it just means I need to figure out a way to get my pictures off my sd card and keep my camera for now. Of course I am lusting after a better camera. Perhaps I should think about used or refurbished. I mean it's not like I'm an avid photographer, right? I've always been partial to Nikon and Pentax. I know tons of people love Canon too. What to get? What's best? I have no idea where to start even. Do I get a camera feature packed that I can grow into or do I get something that's simple and straightforward? Decisions, decisions. Seriously...if you have a recommendation about a camera send it my way.