Jobless Family

I might recommend that the census is hiring for temporary work and although it is not a long term solution, they do pay pretty well and it is full-time. Might get you through for a little while. You can look up how to apply online. Good luck.

I do not have any info for you about the mortgage stuff. However, I was wondering........... If you do pottery, have you considering teaching classes? If so, maybe even offering to teach pottery to homeschoolers during the daytime? This would be a way to help bring in some income until your husband gets a job.

A.;

I am the "guy" in our family, but I like to stay in touch with families as both my wife and I are Stay at Home Parents. We were in a very similar situation, and we went so far as to lose our home and truck - sold the car - and consigned our motorcycle before we saw the light. maybe i am sharing too much with a stranger?

Anyway, We put ourselves on the "cash" plan and did without unless we could count out the dollar biils. We bought a truck, car, two motorcycles and more on that plan and it really helped us out. Beyond that, I stopped depending on others to "Provide me a Living". I've had some jobs here or there - but they weren't my primary gig.

I LOVE motorcycle roadracing and have some talent in teaching... so we started a school. www.freetrackday.com We were led to the Amway Global business model four years ago and love sharing our business. www.vonconcepts.wwdb.biz I am also a geek of sorts - so I design websites and run a motorsports Ezine. www.vonconcepts.com

I guess what I am saying is --- don't sit around the house and get sucked in by negative news and dream stealers. You CAN build something of your own. Multi-levels are the easiest to build - but they are really easy to fail at too... you have to get over the stigma of a multi-level plan and just do it. If you are interested in what WE do, call me. If I turned you off, I would just stress that you find something you both can do. Be a team and support each other. Don't point fingers at who failed - just look toward future success!!!!

Kurt
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Hello did you have any luck with finding monetary accomplishment. I know this was from a while back but wanted to see how all of you are doing.

My uncle has been in real estate here in the valley for much of his adult life (he was retired up until the crash!) When my husband and I needed to get out of our ARM and into something fixed to wait out the housing price drop, he recommended Homeowners Financial Group. He thinks so highly of them, he went to work for them as well.
It was work, but we got our fixed 30 year at 5.5%. FHA No lender worth their salt is going to make it very easy now...and Joe Capitano, (who we worked with at the company) will be honest and give you bad news straight rather than "tell you what you want to hear"...and let you sort out any problems later. (He could not believe some of the re-fi offers we had been given...way too high...we would never be able to repay) I think we have all had enough of that.
I imagine Joe and others there would know what can be done through Obama's plan. I imagine you can Google and first find government site explaining the program...and HOPEFULLY they have some phone numbers or links for how to start taking action. The real problem, I think, is finding some company not preying on the fear and desperation running through the public. (Charging excessive hidden fees.) See what watchdog organizations have to say about lenders and programs, before signing. Good luck!!!

I worked directly through my mortgage company, GMAC, to obtain a loan modification. It took about 6 weeks and now my payment has been reduced about $500 per month. This wasn't under Obama's plan, but I didn't have to pay someone to do the modification for me - be aware that there are people out there charging to help you modify your loan, but you can do it directly through your mortgage co. I went to GMAC's website, and they actually had all the forms to download and complete right online. It took several weeks, but mission accomplished and I didn't pay anyone to do it. Good luck.

Yesterday (Sunday, March 8) there was a good article on refinancing using the stimulus guidelines in the Arizona Republic. It outlined the qualifications for applying for the refinance. You do NOT have to be behind in your payments, but you do have to have current income which they will need to verify. I'm sure you could find the article online at azcentral.com. Lenders are just beginning to be trained on the new guidelines, so it may take some time yet before the loans are actually available. On the other hand, lenders are becoming more and more willing to work with you. You should call your lender. They do not want another foreclosure on their hands, as they are not in the business of owning houses.

I'm sorry about your DH's job. Remember that his FULL TIME job now should be looking for another one. That's what we did, and eventually it paid off. Good luck!

Check out to see if you qualify for either of these programs:

http://www.financialstability.gov/makinghomeaffordable/re...

http://www.financialstability.gov/makinghomeaffordable/mo...

I am not sure what SAHM is or DH home is... however, my spouse was laid off in July...we fell behind in our mortgage too. Inregards to the lowering the house... you have to be behind at least three months before they will attempt to help...well that is what they told me...you might want to call your lender. I was consistant, in calling every week and I made payments every time I was paid. My mortgage is 1657. I made $900and $400- or sometimes even less...I just tried to make what I could. I sent in my letter, my plans, paystubs, and W-2's- they had to review it, and called last week. The plan is to not pay anything til May- I have a $1250 fee and then my mortgage went down to $1530. We have been very stressed, but I think with the fact that we were paying something, and kept on them- we were able to get something. On the other-hand, our nieghbor is having a really hard time...and she has done everything that her lender asked...So, I would call them and ask ...what to do.

As for any job- my husband resorted to Pizza delivery- he makes pretty good money and he has a job. To me, that is all that matters.

Hi A., I would not trust anything on the internet, people are being taken advantage of. I'm an insurance agent and know several Mortgage Brokers so if you would like a referral to one you can trust, let me know. Also, being that I sell insurance, shop your insurance rates with an independent agent such as myself. Just on Friday I saved a couple $1400 on their home and auto. I don't know anyone right now that wouldn't like an extra $100 per month! You never know until you check. It's tough times for everyone right now. I wish you guys the best of luck! F. ____@____.com

My husband has been unemployed for about a year so we are desperate to do something about our upside down loan as well. We have found a company that is working with us to do a loan modification but I don't want to give out the name until we know if they can help us. We checked the Better Business Bureau (bbb.com) to make sure they had an A+ rating for at least a year. This company was also licensed with HUD (gov't agency) to do the Hope for Homeowners program, so we went with them. We just filled out the paperwork but it will take 30 - 45 days. Whomever you go with, make sure they are at least listed with the Better Business Bureau for a while. One place I looked up had an A+ rating just since Jan '09. Another had an F rating! Good luck!

I am unaware of how to apply for this rate reduction. I have been unemployed for over a year and I am wondering what the criteria are to qualify. Can you let me know where to find this info? Best of luck to you. Take care :) -S

If you have equity in your home, you can refinance which could ssave you a few hundred a month. If you don't have equity, see if you qaulify for any new programs. I would both start putting out resumes and maybe take some part-time work in the meantime. My husband has not been laid off, but he is in constuction management, so it will only be a matter of time. So I have started looking for a job, just in case. Unfortunately my kids will have to start daycare for a year or so, but I think it will be worth it in the long run. Good Luck to you guys and everyone else struggling right now. It is tough times, just save your pennies.

Hello,
Haven't heard anything about it, but please share your experience when you are done with your process. Thanks, and good luck on your husband's job search.

M.

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Are you getting unemployement ? That should help too. I know nothing about lowering morgages.... there is a lot of competion out there. Merchandising jobs are all over and can pay up to $12 an hour. Pepsi Cola, Coke, Revlon, Hallmark, Lays Chips, Legos.... search out these, they are great SAHM jobs.
Good Luck.

My husband works for a mortgage company. The one thing people have a tendency to do when they are in financial trouble is not make their mortgage payment or consistently make it late. If you have 3 30 day lates it could become a major problem and no one will help. Credit scores are a huge thing most companies will not touch you unless your scores are 650 or more. 700's are better. Dont do the internet there are too many scams out there.

If you are in Arizona and want my husbands info let me know. We are in Tucson but they can do all of Arizona.

You probably dont need someone telling you this. However try and cut costs everywhere you can until things get better.

My ex-husband is in the same situation. His wife has lost her job in October and still hasn't been able to find work. They really would like to lower their interest rate on their house. Can you tell me where you found this information so I can pass it on to him? Thanks so much!

Hi A.,

Looking forward to someonme responding to your question, so thanks for putting it out there...Regarding you being a part time "potter", what does that mean?? If you do the clay etc., and you are local, do you teach classes? I would be very interestd.

Thank you,
J.

A.,
Just be careful in whatever you do. I was listening to NPR this morning and they had an entire segment on about scams that are flooding the internet regarding stimulus dollars. Just make sure you are incredibly careful before releasing any of your personal information or sending any money out. Good luck to you!
R.