Nora, a clarification to the taxability of mortgage cancellation of date--at this point it ends 12/31/2012. Obama has proposed an extension through 2015 in his FY13 budget, but nothing has been approved. If you are thinking about doing something, my accountant's advice to me was to consult a real estate attorney ASAP.

The relevant legislation is called the Mortgage Debt Relief Act of 2007. I apologize for giving you misinformation earlier.

That's OK, Maria! No need to apologize. I've brought my credit union into the loop and hopefully we can get this done by the end of the year anyway. They seem supportive, but I suspect them of being nice on the phone but dragging this out to get as much money as possible from us.

Banks are evil. I haven't discussed it because it is just crazy making, but I have been going through mortgage ordeals for about 3 years now. We got behind back in 2008. When we were able to make payments again, they wouldn't take them. They said we had to apply for a modification. Over the last 2-1/2 years we have jumped through every hoop they have put in front of us. We have gone through 6 modification applications. Always turned down for some reason. We make too much; we make too little; the latest one was because we are not under water.

We went to mediation yesterday. The lawyers and mediator present were all surprised for some reason, but I wasn't. Wells Fargo was only at mediation because it is required by law. Since my house is worth more than I owe they want the house. Period. At this point they consider the arrears to be over $100,000. The only thing I can do is battle the NPV calculation, which is what I am trying now. We have been ready, willing, and able to make mortgage payments for 3 years, but they want the house. When I finally do get a modification I have to explore suing the bank for all the 10s of thousands in bogus charges that have been tossed in the balance. They have refused to give us any accounting or even a pay off figure.

They bring out the rage in me unlike anything else in my life.

HIvemind, I need advice. I committed to doing a walk-along today with that environmental canvassing group. I'm supposed to be there at 1:30 pm. However, my costume for Frankie isn't going to be ready in the next half hour, and I want to reschedue. How shitty would it be for me to call now (two hours ahead) and reschedule?

I don't know enough about the level of inconvenience to make the call on how shitty it would be, but if you have to reschedule it is what it is.

Will you have time to finish the costume later, smonster? Which is more important? Will you lose the canvassing job if you reschedule last-minute? How much of a pain will it be for the others, and how do you feel about it?

I won't get home tonight until about 10 pm, and I won't know my call time for tomorrow until after 9 pm. So I don't know if I'll have time.

I don't think I'm screwing anyone over if I don't go today. I'm not that thrilled about the job anyway, but I don't want to ruin my reputation with them, either.

I think 2 hours is enough time to cancel/reschedule on a non-paying situation in favor of a paying one.

Jesus, Laura, that is fucking evil.

Holy shit, Laura. I am so sorry you need to be dealing with this.