Q: Work around for Macbook Pro USB failures?

Ok,

BOTH of the USB ports on my 2.5 year old MacBook Pro (Mid 2012) are not working now.     The first quit working a year ago.    Now the second one is dead.   This seems to be a common failure on a lot of Macbook Pros; but from what I'm gathering, Apple doesn't think they're responsible.    I've tried a SMC reset; and a Pram reset to no avail.  

Any work arounds to give me a USB port....   such as Thunderbolt to USB or even Ethernet to USB?       I'd rather have a slower adapter than fork out $600 for a new processor board.....  

Any help would be appreciated. 

Dave