I am about to be layed-off, and I want to have cash available when necessary. My house needs improvements (painting, repairs, possible tenting, possible undermining by a tree, etc.) and I want to be able to keep it in good condition.

I will continue to have a decent, although cramped income, and will return to substitute teaching or paralegal work to keep the wolf from the door.

I have pretty good credit and keep on top of things even though I had to let my health insurance go.

Any other input about a line of credit will be appreciated. My son thinks I shouldn't have anything done to the house unless I'm about to sell it. I disagree. I figure I should benefit by improvements while I live here.

I do know about con-artist remodelers (I have two friends who were devastated by bad remodelers!), and will, to the best of my ability, avoid them.

Background: When I bought the house, I interviewed several electricians to upgrade and rewire my house, and found a good one, and we wrote a good contract for the work.

Midway, he told me "sheesh, I miscalculated and this job is taking longer than I estimated. From here on, I'm losing money!" And at the end of the contract, he presented me with a bill twice the agreed amount. I refused to pay beyond the agreed amount. He took me to court.

I refused mediation and the case went to trial. I acted as my own attorney, and had to question the witnesses and the electrician's employees. He had a lawyer.

I won. The judge told him he needed to get a new lawyer, to learn about contracts, and to treat his customers honestly.

Later, his employees told me he does this all the time, and the people usually fold in mediation because they are afraid.

So I like to CMA by looking at options and avoiding as many problems as I can by doing research (the best workers are those who are referred to me by happy neighbors and customers), educating myself, and writing good contracts for work.

Thanks.

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