An Example of How Hardest Hit Funds Can Help

by Diane Stephenson, Housing and Credit Counselor

Any homeowner who qualifies for the government sponsored Hardest Hit Program can get up to 6 months of mortgage payment assistance – which may even suspend the foreclosure process.

Hardest Hit Funds can help you with partial mortgage payments while you pay a reduced amount totaling the full payment due the mortgage holder.  That would give you 6 months to find a job if you are unemployed, or a higher paying job if you are underemployed.

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Here comes trouble…I mean “Holiday Debt”!

By Pat Smith, Credit Counseling Manager

In today’s world, we feel that we must buy – buy – buy to make our families happy. The old cliché “Give until it hurts!” stays with us.  But with today’s economic crisis, we are already hurting, so it is more important than ever to be a thrifty shopper and avoid holiday debt.

A complete & realistic budget is the key!  With very little money and a lot of family to buy for, it is time to be creative and start thinking about how to provide the holiday cheer your family deserves without the holiday debt you don’t want.

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Why Employers Need to Care About Employees’ Financial Difficulties

by Bill Wood, Development Coordinator

Think of it as “enlightened self-interest” – because employees’ financial difficulties lead to stress which leads to adverse impacts on a company’s bottom line.  There are all kinds of things that cause stress in our lives – poor relationships, kids with bad grades, and, of course, this economy.  Stress has been a part of our lives since Adam and Eve had kids.

Stress may be the one universal we all share as a result of what we have dubbed “the Great Recession” and regardless of the causes of this recession; the results have and continue to be devastating.

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