Approximately 5 million (out of 105 million) mortgages in the U.S. are listed as “troubled”. That means anywhere from more than 30 days past due to on the verge of a foreclosure sale.

Some homeowners got into trouble because of the economic downturn. They got laid off unexpectedly, lost their jobs, or their spouse did, meaning that family income dropped. Dropped to the point that there wasn’t enough to make the mortgage payments.

Some were caught by rising payments under the terms of their home mortgage agreement. The new higher payments may have been just more than they could pay and buy groceries at the same time.

Whatever the reason, if you are one of those homeowners who is or might be affected, there are things you can do to prevent foreclosure. Thousands have done it before you and you can too!

Moreover, now your chances to prevent foreclosure are better than ever. Lenders are being pressured by too many houses in inventory. They don’t really want more! Now it’s easier to win a negotiation, if you know how…

You CAN help stop foreclosure of your home. But you need to take a pro-active attitude and move to do something as soon as possible. Don’t wait and let the foreclosure steam roller flatten you! Learn what you can do to stop it now!

You need to learn how to prevent foreclosure so that you can ask the right questions, negotiate with the lender, keep your attorney focused on winning rather than just limiting the damages! There is a contest going on between you and the lender. The winner winds up with your house. You can be that winner if you understand the game!

Foreclosure is NOT inevitable. It will happen only if you do not know how to prevent it and don’t put forth the effort needed to stop it. Click on any of the links above to learn about resources that will help educate you about the alternatives, how to WIN, how to prevent foreclosure of your home.

Some of the largest toy recalls in history have occurred recently, and wooden toys are enjoying a sudden comeback. Parents are becoming more and more informed about the potential dangers of various children’s products, especially when it comes to toys that are mass manufactured in China. Last winter, there was a huge warning about many toys that contained lead paint. When children chew or suck on the toys, as they are apt to do, they are susceptible to the damages of lead poisoning. To avoid both China-manufactured products as well as the possibility of lead and other dangers hidden in many modern-day toys, parents and others involved with children are turning to good old fashioned wooden toys from American toy sites.

Wooden toys, although they are certainly more basic than some of today’s gadgets and computerized knick-knacks, still offer hours of fun for children, and for the whole family. Ebay offers a wide range of wooden toys of the 1950s that are sure to delight. In addition to larger wooden toys like rocking horses, playhouses, and kitchen sets, wooden toys also include such classic favorites as train sets, airplanes, and building blocks.

And buying wooden toys doesn’t mean you have to compromise on color. Many wooded toys incorporate colorful fabric and no-lead paints (be sure to make sure the paints are not lead paints). Wooden toys are great for kids of all ages, from infancy and toddlerhood through elementary school-age children. In addition to providing safe fun for your children, wooden toys are lovely family heirlooms that will last through many generations.