Inevitably, as tough times continue, I get questions similar to this in my email inbox:

“I am having trouble meeting my obligations. My hours have been cut at work due to the recession, and things are getting tougher. I am trying to decide between making my credit card payments and paying my mortgage. What should I do?”

The answer to this question is very simple: Pay your mortgage first. You should make your mortgage payment your first priority. Your credit card debt is unsecured. Your mortgage, on the other hand, is secured by your home. Your credit score may be in trouble if you miss credit card payments, but it will be in much worse shape if you go through foreclosure. And you could lose your home.

When it comes to the choice between your mortgage payment and your other bills, making your mortgage payment should be your first option. In fact, just about everything, from insurance to groceries to utilities, should be put ahead of credit cards when the tough decisions have to be made.

And, if you are running into trouble, you should contact your mortgage lender as soon as possible to talk about home loan modification, forebearance or other options that can help you keep on your feet until this recession is over and things pick up again.