Comments for Making Sense New England http://www.makingsensene.org The Economy in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont Fri, 19 Nov 2010 01:59:53 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 Comment on Ask the Expert by Rosemary Malm http://www.makingsensene.org/ask-the-expert/comment-page-1#comment-266 Rosemary Malm Fri, 19 Nov 2010 01:59:53 +0000 http://www.makingsensene.org/?page_id=880#comment-266 I worked for brooks pharmacy which changed to brooks maxi drug. I had a retirement fund with them and I can't make connections, can you give me advise? Thanks Rosemary Malm I worked for brooks pharmacy which changed to brooks maxi drug. I had a retirement fund with them and I can’t make connections, can you give me advise? Thanks Rosemary Malm

]]> Comment on Financial Conflict in Your Relationship by physical therapist http://www.makingsensene.org/financial-conflict-in-your-relationship/comment-page-1#comment-265 physical therapist Wed, 17 Nov 2010 16:18:14 +0000 http://www.makingsensene.org/?p=988#comment-265 Keep posting stuff like this i really like it Keep posting stuff like this i really like it

]]> Comment on Financial Conflict in Your Relationship by school grants for women http://www.makingsensene.org/financial-conflict-in-your-relationship/comment-page-1#comment-263 school grants for women Sat, 13 Nov 2010 18:30:30 +0000 http://www.makingsensene.org/?p=988#comment-263 Great information! I’ve been looking for something like this for a while now. Thanks! Great information! I’ve been looking for something like this for a while now. Thanks!

]]> Comment on Ask the Expert by Making Sense New England Team http://www.makingsensene.org/ask-the-expert/comment-page-1#comment-248 Making Sense New England Team Mon, 08 Nov 2010 16:41:11 +0000 http://www.makingsensene.org/?page_id=880#comment-248 Here are some helpful resources. Washington Hancock Community Agency (WHCA) http://www.whcacap.org/index.php Washington Hancock Community Agency is a community action agency dedicated to fighting poverty and helping low-income people in Down East Maine. We offer a wide range of services including heating assistance, transportation, weatherization, small business assistance, tax preparation and more. Milbridge Office Mailing Address: P.O. Box 280, Milbridge, ME 04658 Physical Address: Corner of Route 1 and Maple Street Phone: (207) 546-7544 TDD: (207) 546-7607 Fax: (207) 546-3216 Email: administration@whcacap.org Ellsworth Office: Mailing Address: P.O. Box 299, Ellsworth, ME 04605 Physical Address: 248 Bucksport Road Phone: (207) 664-2424 Fax: (207) 664-2430 Email: administration@whcacap.org Here are some helpful resources.

Washington Hancock Community Agency (WHCA)
http://www.whcacap.org/index.php

Washington Hancock Community Agency is a community action agency dedicated to fighting poverty and helping low-income people in Down East Maine. We offer a wide range of services including heating assistance, transportation, weatherization, small business assistance, tax preparation and more.

Milbridge Office
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 280, Milbridge, ME 04658
Physical Address: Corner of Route 1 and Maple Street
Phone: (207) 546-7544
TDD: (207) 546-7607
Fax: (207) 546-3216
Email: administration@whcacap.org

Ellsworth Office:
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 299, Ellsworth, ME 04605
Physical Address: 248 Bucksport Road
Phone: (207) 664-2424
Fax: (207) 664-2430
Email: administration@whcacap.org

]]> Comment on Ask the Expert by Merle Fickett http://www.makingsensene.org/ask-the-expert/comment-page-1#comment-224 Merle Fickett Sun, 17 Oct 2010 18:31:26 +0000 http://www.makingsensene.org/?page_id=880#comment-224 Where can I learn about getting help with my home heating oil costs. Merle Fickett, Harrington, Maine Where can I learn about getting help with my home heating oil costs.
Merle Fickett, Harrington, Maine

]]> Comment on Ask the Expert by Karen A. Gorham, Attorney, Consumer Protection Bureau, State of New Hampshire Department of Justice, Office of the Attorney General http://www.makingsensene.org/ask-the-expert/comment-page-1#comment-145 Karen A. Gorham, Attorney, Consumer Protection Bureau, State of New Hampshire Department of Justice, Office of the Attorney General Mon, 09 Aug 2010 10:57:40 +0000 http://www.makingsensene.org/?page_id=880#comment-145 There is a federal government program that allows mortgage companies to participate in loan modifications and receive federal funds for their participation. Not all mortgage companies participate in the program. Nonetheless, mortgage companies may still offer loan modifications on their loans, using their own criterion. If your mortgage lender participates in the federal "Home Affordable Modification Program" (HAMP), there are guidelines that they may use to determine eligibility. There are a number of factors that are considered. Primarily, the lender will look at the reason for arrearages, long-term ability to pay, the value of the property, and overall debt. A very useful website provided by the federal government is makinghomesaffordable.gov. The website has an "eligibility" section that can answer most, if not all, of your eligibility questions. There are no state laws that establish guidelines for modifications. However, be aware that if you do not work directly with your lender, do not pay any upfront fees and determine if the individual or company are properly licensed by the New Hampshire Banking Department. There are state laws that mandate licensing, and prohibit upfront fees. There is a federal government program that allows mortgage companies to participate in loan modifications and receive federal funds for their participation. Not all mortgage companies participate in the program. Nonetheless, mortgage companies may still offer loan modifications on their loans, using their own criterion.

If your mortgage lender participates in the federal “Home Affordable Modification Program” (HAMP), there are guidelines that they may use to determine eligibility. There are a number of factors that are considered. Primarily, the lender will look at the reason for arrearages, long-term ability to pay, the value of the property, and overall debt. A very useful website provided by the federal government is makinghomesaffordable.gov. The website has an “eligibility” section that can answer most, if not all, of your eligibility questions.

There are no state laws that establish guidelines for modifications. However, be aware that if you do not work directly with your lender, do not pay any upfront fees and determine if the individual or company are properly licensed by the New Hampshire Banking Department. There are state laws that mandate licensing, and prohibit upfront fees.

]]> Comment on Ask the Expert by ruby http://www.makingsensene.org/ask-the-expert/comment-page-1#comment-142 ruby Wed, 28 Jul 2010 10:09:41 +0000 http://www.makingsensene.org/?page_id=880#comment-142 What are the criteria to qualify for a mortgage loan modification: are there state-wide/ national rules, or is it up to the lender's sole discretion, on an individual case basis? What are the criteria to qualify for a mortgage loan modification: are there state-wide/ national rules, or is it up to the lender’s sole discretion, on an individual case basis?

]]> Comment on Ask the Expert by Sandi Everitt, Assistant Attorney General & Director, Consumer Assistance Program, Vermont http://www.makingsensene.org/ask-the-expert/comment-page-1#comment-141 Sandi Everitt, Assistant Attorney General & Director, Consumer Assistance Program, Vermont Tue, 27 Jul 2010 13:51:00 +0000 http://www.makingsensene.org/?page_id=880#comment-141 The Attorney General’s Office cannot make a recommendation in this area, but I do know from reading articles and blog postings that some consumers have recommended that Timeshare owners wishing to sell, should contact local established and reputable real estate companies operating in the geographic area of their timeshare. Many of the larger national real estate firms have timeshare sales and purchase divisions. The bottom line for the consumer is to do their homework and investigate any company before paying anything or signing any documents. Consumers can research a business through the national Better Business Bureau – bbb.org and/or thorough their local state’s consumer protection agency. Consumers should learn everything about a company, including verifying its physical location – do not just rely on a website or pictures on a website. Finally, consumers should read all the fine print of any documents and ask questions so they understand exactly what a clause/term means. If the sales person can’t explain it, be wary! If the sales person laughs it off as “legalese,” be wary! If the explanation is different than what the consumer thinks the term/clause means, get the explanation in writing, signed by the salesperson. Always remember the adage – “if it seems too good to be true, it probably is!” The Attorney General’s Office cannot make a recommendation in this area, but I do know from reading articles and blog postings that some consumers have recommended that Timeshare owners wishing to sell, should contact local established and reputable real estate companies operating in the geographic area of their timeshare. Many of the larger national real estate firms have timeshare sales and purchase divisions. The bottom line for the consumer is to do their homework and investigate any company before paying anything or signing any documents. Consumers can research a business through the national Better Business Bureau – bbb.org and/or thorough their local state’s consumer protection agency. Consumers should learn everything about a company, including verifying its physical location – do not just rely on a website or pictures on a website. Finally, consumers should read all the fine print of any documents and ask questions so they understand exactly what a clause/term means. If the sales person can’t explain it, be wary! If the sales person laughs it off as “legalese,” be wary! If the explanation is different than what the consumer thinks the term/clause means, get the explanation in writing, signed by the salesperson. Always remember the adage – “if it seems too good to be true, it probably is!”

]]> Comment on Ask the Expert by Greg http://www.makingsensene.org/ask-the-expert/comment-page-1#comment-139 Greg Fri, 16 Jul 2010 00:54:19 +0000 http://www.makingsensene.org/?page_id=880#comment-139 We own a time-share that we are interested in selling... if there is such a thing. Can you suggest a reputable agency that can assist us in selling. Our fees continue to rise and our need for this timeshare has changed. After watching Making Sense New England, we are more motivated to get out of this thing than ever. Please help point us in the right diretion. We own a time-share that we are interested in selling… if there is such a thing. Can you suggest a reputable agency that can assist us in selling. Our fees continue to rise and our need for this timeshare has changed. After watching Making Sense New England, we are more motivated to get out of this thing than ever. Please help point us in the right diretion.

]]> Comment on Financial Conflict in Your Relationship by Charlotte http://www.makingsensene.org/financial-conflict-in-your-relationship/comment-page-1#comment-138 Charlotte Tue, 13 Jul 2010 20:48:16 +0000 http://www.makingsensene.org/?p=988#comment-138 How to spend money and what to spend it on can make or break a relationship. If both parties are fundamentally different in their spending habits (i.e. spending money on education, or on boats and expensive cars), the relationship might hit some impossible obstacles. I've certainly been there. What you spend your money on represents your values, and sharing similar values are important to me in a relationship. How to spend money and what to spend it on can make or break a relationship. If both parties are fundamentally different in their spending habits (i.e. spending money on education, or on boats and expensive cars), the relationship might hit some impossible obstacles. I’ve certainly been there. What you spend your money on represents your values, and sharing similar values are important to me in a relationship.

]]>