Today's economic climate is fraught with uncertainty. Nobody seems to know where we're headed. Every few months we hear that "hopefully the worst is over" or "maybe the housing market has reached its bottom." Unfortunately that hasn't happened, and economists agree on little except that the worst isn't over, and we very well may be looking at another couple years of this.

What is our government doing to help the 'average person?' Big businesses like banks, insurance companies and the automobile industry have all received their bailouts. Some have even dipped into the 'cookie jar' more than once. An inadequate tax break doesn't do much to assist the person barely making enough to cover his mortgage, utilities, other credit obligations, and then feed his family.

Our government pretends to help by initiating loan modification programs. It's just too bad that most of these programs are buried with more applications than they can adequately address. They just aren't adequately staffed to handle the demand, and unfortunately most aren't properly educated to deal with all the mortgage related issues that come up in the process. In most cases, they're just gathering financial information and forwarding it to the mortgage company with a request for a loan modification.

This process is way too docile and that just doesn't work when working with a bank. It's utterly pointless. Just do a search on Google to see how ineffective and disappointing these solutions have been in getting results and financial relief for homeowners.

The other alternative presented to a distressed homeowner is to pay a third party company to help them approach their mortgage company to complete a loan mod. This is a better option then entrusting their home with a government employee that until a couple of months ago was working at the Department of Parks and Recreation, but usually considerably more expensive. These programs range in cost from $2000 to $3000, demand that they be paid in full up front, and in many cases come with no guarantee of success.

Then there's your mortgage company, they'd rather that you just simply call them and negotiate. Keep in mind that this is the same company that issued the unfavorable loan in the first place. They'd have you believe that they have your best interest at heart, when in reality all they care about is the liquidity of their balance sheet.

Fortunately there is a better option. There are nationwide credit organizations that will provide the advocacy that a company charging $3,000 would, but do it for less than $200, and will refund their member's money if they don't succeed. Their approach is a total one. They'll not only complete a loan mod, but also work with their members to re-establish their credit afterwards. It's refreshing to find an organization that will truly do more for less.