With the stability of the world's economy in question in recent months, much of society is feeling the pinch. Now is a great time to evaluate your personal finances to ensure that you're as prepared as possible for a potential financial emergency.

The nation is all a buzz with talk of the housing market, and chances are, you've seen foreclosures popping up all over the place--including your own neighborhood. Here are some tips on what to watch for and ways to stay on top of the mortgage game.