It's not really a surprise, but the latest numbers show that mortgage delinquencies continue to rise. Indeed, as the economy continues to worsen, TransUnion reports that late mortgage payments rose by 53% over fourth quarter 2007 in the fourth quarter of 2008.

The rising tide of people who are having a hard time paying their bills increases. However, if you are having trouble paying your bills, your mortgage is not the one you should be late on. Instead, you should prioritize your bills, with the mortgage at the top of the list. Your home is likely the most expensive (and possibly valuable) thing you have. Avoid falling behind at all costs.