personal finance

Ah, it's here at last. The summer season has officially kicked off, and we're all a little itchy to grab some sunshine, hit the road or water, and just unwind. And after the economic winter we've had, who doesn't need a break?

With historically low rates, many homeowners are watching closely for the right time to refinance their mortgages. Those with good credit may well recall being showered with praise by a mortgage broker during the initial purchase for that solid credit score.
That was then. This is now.

Dear Debt Adviser,
I have a charge off from a utility company for $900. I really want to get rid of it. I want to buy a house in about three years. What's your advice? -- Trish
Dear Trish,

Borrowers who can't afford their mortgage payment may want to take a look at the Home Affordable Modification program, which is part of the Obama administration's Making Home Affordable plan.
The Home Affordable Modification program creates a uniform process for loan servicers to modify existing mortgages for homeowners who meet the following two conditions:

Borrowers who can't afford their mortgage payment may want to take a look at the Home Affordable Modification program, which is part of the Obama administration's Making Home Affordable plan.
The Home Affordable Modification program creates a uniform process for loan servicers to modify existing mortgages for homeowners who meet the following two conditions:

A lawsuit recently filed in federal court in Pittsburgh provides a cautionary tale about just how different mutual funds with similar names or objectives can be.

Dear Debt Adviser,
Are there any advantages to paying off an auto loan with a home equity line of credit and if there are, what are they? -- John

Dear John,
Yes! No! Both? With the possible exception of New York-style cheesecake, everything I know has its pluses and minuses. OK, too much cheesecake can give you clogged arteries, but one piece is sheer bliss!

While love conquers all in romance novels and movies, when money problems rear their ugly heads in marriage, Cupid doesn't always stand a fighting chance.
Newlywed couples who underestimate the strain that bad money habits can cause on a marriage may make themselves more vulnerable to failure.

Five signs your partner may have credit trouble:

1. His/Her Salary Doesn't Support His/Her Spending.
Lucky you. Your partner is always springing for thoughtful gifts, fancy dinners and last-minute weekend getaways. But take a minute to consider whether his/her lifestyle matches income or if he/she is using plastic to fill the gap.

This year some first-time homebuyers will charge their down payments to the taxpayer.