Time now for "The Help Desk," where we get answers to your financial questions. With me right now, Donna Rosato. She's a senior editor at "Money." And Lynnette Khalfani-Cox is a writer for walletpop.com.
Thank you so much for being here with us.
Our first question is from Jeff in Michigan. And he writes in, "I am underwater on my home, but no one will help me because I am unemployed. I have paid my mortgage on time, but I've been told that I could get help if I stop. What should I do?"
Donna, we hear this so often.
Oh, yes. It's never a good idea to stop paying your mortgage. And you know he's in a tough situation where he's unemployed, but last year the Obama administration did expand some programs to help people like this young man here. And one of the things he can do is apply for a loan modification, which may help him reduce the amount of payments or he can get a suspension on his home mortgage payments. But he really needs some good advice to do this and what I recommend is calling Housing and Urban Development, a HUD-vetted counselor, which he can do through the Making Homes Affordable Program. The number is 888-995- HOPE. And he can also Google Making Homes Affordable program and get advice about what's best for his situation. But, you know, the damage to your credit score by stopping paying on your mortgage is really long term and he wants to try to avoid that if possible.
And there should be some help for people who are actually making their payments despite their personal situation.
Sure.
All right, our next question is from Brad in Arizona. He says, "I'm 31 years old and I'm just now at the stage of being able to save for my future instead of living paycheck to paycheck. I'm interested in investing in gold. Where should I start?" Lynnette.
You shouldn't start with gold, I can tell you that.
I thought you might say that.
I'm sorry to tell you. You know, he's probably seen -- there's been a huge run-up in gold prices lately, but gold just hit a record high. And so you don't necessarily want to buy in at the top. I'm not saying gold doesn't have more room to go, but if you've just stopped living paycheck to paycheck and you're getting started in investing, gold isn't where you want to start.
First of all, if you just stopped living paycheck to paycheck, before you invest anywhere, you need to do two quick things. Get an emergency cash cushion. You know, $500 to maybe $1,500 in case something goes wrong in your life. The car engine goes out. The roof leaks. Whatever.
Then start saving for the long term, three to six months worth of your expenses you need to amass in case you lose a job or in case some other long term unexpected thing happens. Then you start investing.
And, again, I'd suggest something like mutual funds, index mutual funds, low cost index mutual funds. But I would not get started investing with gold.
Start putting away for your future if you haven't been able to do that. Then you can go think about those high price *** metals.
That's a little later.
All right, well, Donna and Lynnette, thanks so much. Of course, if you have a question you want to get answered, we'd love to help you. So send us an e-mail anytime to cnnhelpdesk@cnn.com.