Consider the calculation of "disposable income, " supposedly what's left after you've paid all secured debts (like your mortgage) and living expenses.

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Let them feel the hard landing of knowing what it's like to have your mortgage foreclosed upon.

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These are things like your property insurance, mortgage, utility bills (even the water bill) and a home alarm system.

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It's a bit like your parents guaranteeing your mortgage.

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Like refinancing your more expensive mortgage.

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So the package is more like taking out a mortgage to rebuild your house than running up your credit-card bill.

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As a parent, sometimes it seems like you have to take out a third mortgage on your home to pay for all the youth sports fees, especially if your child is in travel ball.

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Can you guess how laws like Dodd-Frank with its powerful consumer finance agency will affect your mortgage and your credit cards?

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Companies already know a tremendous amount about you in the name of generating credit scores and assessing your risk not only for your employer, but also health insurers, mortgage lenders, banks, and the like.

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