Housing

Question: I have been paying an extra $560 on my mortgage since July 2007. Recently I began paying an extra $1,000 each month. We owe $l55,000 on our house — our original loan was for $l86,000. Our house payment is $l,427. We have $200,000 in a 401(k) plan (maybe less now).

Question: With grocery, utilities and public transportation prices climbing, our family is struggling to survive. We have a large family and do grow a small garden, but the bills keep piling up. We’re behind on our rent and income taxes. Our kids attend a charter school that requires uniforms which we can’t afford. We don’t have credit cards or a car and never take vacations. What can we do?