8. Know your mortgage. The U.S. government's bailout programs are finally trickling down to consumers. The goal is to get banks lending again, and lending to consumers has become part of the focus.

The government is looking to jump-start borrowing in everything from car loans to student loans to mortgage loans. It's also created an opportunity for homeowners to refinance their mortgages, as mortgage rates fell bellow 6 percent in late November after the Federal Reserve's announcement that it would buy up to $500 billion of securitized loans.

The interest rate on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage is priced off the yield on the 10-year Treasury note. At this writing, that yield is 2.92 percent, within 0.02 percent of the lowest yield recorded by the Federal Reserve since it began tracking this on a daily basis in 1962.

What's all this have to do with your mortgage? If you're in an adjustable-rate mortgage, or ARM, or a hybrid mortgage, like a 5/1 ARM, it could be a good time to refinance and lock into a low 30-year fixed-rate loan.

If you're upside down on your loan (meaning you owe more than the house is worth), it's still a good idea to know your mortgage terms. The Federal Reserve has lowered its targeted federal funds rate significantly in recent months. That rate influences other short-term interest rates and should make adjustable-rate mortgages more affordable, at least over the short term.

Knowing where you stand with your mortgage also helps you determine whether you qualify for one of the mortgage assistance programs, from the FHA's Hope for Homeowners to the Federal Housing Finance Agency's streamlined modification program.

9. Know your credit. It's always been important for consumers to have a finger on the pulse of their credit. It's doubly true this year, as lenders looking to tighten lending standards want loan applicants to have top-notch credit. Also, don't give existing lenders an excuse to raise the interest rates on your credit cards.

Get free credit reports from AnnualCreditReport.com. Because most of us can get only one free credit report each year from the consumer reporting agencies, or CRAs, I suggest spreading out the reports from the big three CRAs (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) over the year. That way, you can review a credit report every four months for free.

The reports won't all be the same because lenders aren't obligated to report your payment history to all three CRAs. But they should be similar enough for monitoring purposes.

If you suspect fraudulent activity, consider freezing your credit to protect yourself against identity theft. Sure, it's a bit of a nuisance, but keeping others from accessing your credit is worth the inconvenience.

The Bankrate feature "Credit freezes available nationwide" explains it all in greater detail.

Bonus! Be part of your community
Everyone wants to live in a great community. However, it's people, not houses, that make a community great. Be a better person and you get a better community. Volunteer your time and get involved in your community. You'll make a difference and feel great doing it.