Cynthia A, Yeah - but why not just do it on your own? You have something else between your ears but cheese, don't you? If you pay down your mortgage principal by the $3,500. that those guys want for their software and to hold your hand (and they got theirs up front, so if you malinger, suffer layoff, get waylaid by robbers, ... whatever - no skin off of their nose) you'll reduce the number of years that your mortgage will run somewhat. It seems to me also that they want to redirect a good bit of your formerly discretionary spending into paying down your mortgage. More or less along the line of - you pay all of your paycheque into the mortgage monthly, then pull money on the HELOC to live on. And they'll probably want you to justify what you're spending on much more than you're doing now, when you indulge yourself somewhat, every now and again ... ... well, maybe fairly often. Seems to me that these guys aren't the tooth fairy - one way or the other, you'll be paying off your mortgage. They sure as heck won't be. A smart financial advisor or any accountant will show you how to work your own program - for probably about $200. , maybe less. Then - it'll be up to you to produce the self-discipline to make it work. If you don't, look yourself in the eye in the bathroom mirror, take out your lipstick and write, "S-T-U-P-I-D" across the image of your face. That shouldn't be too hard. Self-indulgence has a price. These guys don't have any magic bullet. Good wishes for finding a way to get this financial job done, and done well, relying on your own resources and skills, learning a few extra as necessary. ole joyful

Blue Velvet Elvis -- since I live only an hour from you --- here is what I would do. You have a ton of options to have guests -- I would list it as a "guest house" -- contact the University of Iowa (would be great for game weekends) University of Iowa hospitals -- the Chamber of commerce in Kalona -- I would create a cute flyer or brochure and put them in the shops along Rte 1. The Rug Cottage -- Sisters Garden. Rte 1 has been listed at a great route to see fall foilage --- tap into that. Even if you don't serve breakfast -- keep the fridge stocked with some local fruit and cider this time of year. In the winter --- hot chocolate and mulled cider mixes would be nice. Really make it cute -- antique-y -- Iowa -- You have fantastic resources in the area. Also check with Riverside Chamber or Visitor center --- they should be able to put you on a list. Any ?'s -- you can email me directly. Cathy

logic wrote: "dreamgarden, great article....brings a whole new meaning to "what a tangled web we weave when we practice to deceive".... And there you have it in a nutshell. However, I can see why it is more comforting for all too many to simply blame the lowly homebuyer....as one can then continue to remain in denial that of the fact that in essence, our entire finance system is one HUGE scam. Thanks. The more I read about the subprime mess, the more I realize what a "shell game" the bigger interests are playing with everyone's money. Even UK chancellor Alistair Darling has joined growing calls for a probe into the role that credit agencies have played in the world financial crisis. Darling censures rating agencies news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/business/6995699.stm Its too bad the U.S. didn't follow Canada's example for insuring mortgages. "All high-ratio mortgages in Canada Ñ those with less than 20 per cent down Ñ must be secured by mortgage insurance, through, for example, the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. In addition, Canadian financial institutions do not finance more than 100 per cent of a home's purchase price, and that value must be verified with a separate appraisal." marys1000 wrote: "Is there going to be a run on banks? Are banks going to fail? All my mother's money is in one bank." If you have all of your money in ONE bank, that could be a problem. I don't know if there is going to be a run on banks in the U.S. or not, but DH and I are NOT waiting to find out. We have already moved some of our investments into T-bills and CD's. The last time we talked to our banker, he told us we didn't have any sub-prime investments and tried to convince us to keep everything in the market. When I asked him to tell us which part of our portfolio was FDIC insured (or if he would be willing to support us if the market drops), he was silent. Never suggested T-bills or CD's either. I guess he is only interested in our "welfare" as long as he (and his employer) stand to gain. Now I understand why the Russians stuffed money under their mattresses after their banks failed so many times. Time-The Last Sacrifice- Dec. 22, 1947 The Soviets had spiraled into economic trouble similar in some ways to capitalist inflationary difficulties. The ruble, officially valued at 20 U.S. cents, was worth no more than three in actual buying power. Illegal speculation by bureaucrats, collective-farm bosses, store and factory managers and others had become a lively menace to state planning. Peasants, and some city dwellers, had also accumulated hoards of rubles largely because too few of the things they needed, or wanted to buy, were available. Never knowing when deposits might be frozen, they distrusted banks, kept their hoarded money at home. Rationing controls could not be lifted until this money was destroyed, and its destruction was Zhdanov's principal aim.

pollyanna: "There is so much evidence that Sadam was involved in supporting terrorism," Pollyanna, Saddam was an evil, immensely controlling dictator..who did not tolerate terrorists....as he was the only one to have any power... Terrorists only took a foothold and then gained strength in Iraq once WE toppled Saddam.That said, you side stepped the issue that Osama was ignored by the Bush adminstration in favor of Saddam. Why is that...when even the Bush administration stated that Osama was the one behind 9/11 (and the '93 bombing of the WTC, the USS Kohl, etc)....yet under the Bush/Cheney/Rove dictum all efforts were concentrated in Iraq? This is a main reason why over 70% of the country disapproves of Bush...he has lost the ability to bamboozle them.....no one believes him anymore...as he lied way to many times to have any credibility. And...the link you provided was to a supposed, unverified "military" website...so, again, your point is moot. rar1, The link I provided was the first that popped up on google...feel free to google on your own; you will find numerous links stating the same....maybe even one that you actually "approve" of...LOL! Here, for your convenience, is Bushy boy in his own words, retracting his statements re: Saddam & Terrorists... Yes indeed there were many attacks on US interests abroad while Clinton was in office...and indeed his distraction of his own personl issues (Monica, Whitewater et al) left him little time apparently to do much else. However, I made that point about no attacks between '93 and '01 only to demonstrate that just as he (Clinton) can't be credited with no attack on US soil...neither can George. In addition, George is responsible for the loss of almost twice the number of US lives, as well as the destruction of countless others via the miltary he has sacrificed in his "war". IMO military lives are just as precious as those lost in on 9/11. He has weakened and decimated our military to such an extent, if we ARE attacked, heaven help us.