Today on MoneyLife

Chuck begins today's broadcast telling listeners he's in the third week of intensive prayer and fasting for our nation. He's encouraged people are continuing to join us. The fast didn’t end Tuesday after the election, it continues to Thanksgiving week

Chuck wants you to know the HHI Web site has been updated with new videos, articles and tools. He invites. you to check it out. There is a blog for your comments about the fast, the economy, etc

Moving on to today's theme of avoiding foreclosure, Chuck says home values are down. Many people are facing foreclosure. He's going to talk today about ways to avoid foreclosure with credit expert, Suzanne Boas.

Foreclosure is one of the financial stresses that can lead couples to divorce. Here are some disturbing findings about the finances of couples who divorce from The Case for Marriage by Linda Waite and Maggie Gallagher :

• Both spouses lose about 25% of their living standard after a divorce (more expensive to live apart)
• Women experience a 27% drop in living standard
• Divorce leads to a 3.5% drop in total wealth for every year afterward

If you need help with your finances, please contact a Crown Money Map Coach.

After the break, Chuck welcomes Suzanne Boas to the program. Suzanne is President of the Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Atlanta.

Suzanne tells listeners that it's been a busy year for her organization. Many people are struggling with finances, trying to keep their homes out of foreclosure.

CCCS-Atlanta has ramped up it's ability to help folks avoid foreclosure. Suzanne says her organization saw the impending sub-prime mortgage implosion coming 2 yrs ago and began adding more staff with mortgage backgrounds.  They've developed a strong counseling team, meeting with clients face to face, by phone and through Internet counseling.

Suzanne says CCCS-Atlanta does not charge a fee for helping people avoid foreclosure. They try to stabilize the client's financial situation and expect to help 42,000 people this year alone.

Suzanne says it's best to call them when you feel like you may have trouble making a payment. If you think you may have a problem in future, call ahead of time. If you've already missed a payment, call right away.

Lenders are willing to work with credit counseling agencies like CCCS-Atlanta because they have no motivation to foreclose. They would much prefer helping people make timely payments.

CCCS-Atlanta is often able to get interest rates on adjustable rate mortgages lowered and made permanent.

If you need credit counseling, please call 1-888-995-HOPE (4673). Someone is available to take your call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. You can also visit CCCS-Atlanta. You don't have to be in the Atlanta area to be helped by Suzanne's organization

In the final segment, Chuck gives some closing thoughts:

The new HHI Web site is designed for listeners. It's a comprehensive effort to respond to your needs. We wanted to create an online community for those who want to go deeper. The site is divided into three sections:

• Help – with tools, calculators
• Hope – with links to coaches
• Insight – with tons of information about the economy, Bible references, etc.
• Blog – one of Chuck’s favorite features (he enjoys reading posts from listeners)

Chuck tells listeners that it takes a team of people to produce this Web site. It also takes financial partners supporting them to be able to offer resources like this. MoneyLife is a not-for-profit ministry supported only by listeners.

Chuck encourages you, if you’ve been helped by this ministry to come and join us. Nearly 25% of Crown’s annual giving usually comes at the end of the year. We need your help over the next eight weeks. Will you consider becoming a partner with Crown?
Asks people to partner

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Other Resources:

• ABCs of Money Package
• Career Direct
• God's Principles for Operating a Business
• Business By the Book
• Crown Mvelopes