DEAR BRUCE: My husband and I both have estate-protector policies purchased in the 1970s at the age of 21. Face values are $15,000 and $5,000. They now have cash values of $13,000 and $3,000. They will continue to earn dividends and interest as long as we continue to pay into the plan. We pay less than $30 per month for this plan. However, it appears we have to pay until we are 79 before it is paid up, but the cash value continues to build. We are now 53. If we don't cash it in, and the cash value is higher than the face amount, and then we die, doesn't it only pay out the original $15,000 and $5,000, or will it pay the face amount plus any cash value above and beyond the face amounts? If all it will ever pay at death is the face amount, aren't we better off to cash it in when it now or when it reaches the face value? -- P.C., Indianapolis, Ind.

DEAR P.C.: Insurance companies have all manner of names they attach to insurance policies. Names such as "estate protector" are usually meaningless. I believe these are two whole-life policies. At this intersection, I would not suggest that you cancel these. Your cash values are growing and, upon death, will pay the face amount plus the accrued cash value. I am not a fan of whole life but after the number of years these policies have been in place, I wouldn't cancel them at this juncture.

DEAR BRUCE: I have been working for the same company for almost 26 years. I make good money, considering that we live in Mississippi, which is probably the poorest state in the country. My husband has to travel with his line of work (union worker), but he also has made good money. We are 44 and 46 years old and have one child in college and one in private school. I have a 401(k) that is OK -- a little more than $100,000 -- and he has some kind of union pension estimated at about $75,000. We have made SO many mistakes and unruly decisions in our 24 years of marriage. My husband finds value in owning land. I do have to give him credit; he has paid his land off and now has a clear title to it. I can't tell you how many times I have absolutely BEGGED him to sell his land so we will have a decent down payment on a house but he refuses to give up his land and move to town. So we continue to live in a mobile home in the middle of our farm. His dream has always been to build, but it terrifies me to think that we have to start completely over. The house would be small -- no more than 1,500 to 1,600 square feet. He is licensed and certified, and we do have a barn full of materials. But I am a nervous wreck with the economy. I wish we had some bailout help! What is your take on this situation? Don't you think we would be blooming idiots to begin to try and build a new house in this day and time? -- Hopeless in Mississippi

DEAR HOPELESS: You signed your letter "Hopeless in Mississippi," but I don't see your situation as anywhere near hopeless. You are relatively young, have a kid in school, and you're paying for a private school. You have decent savings and you own some land. Not a bad proposition. Whether or not you should sentence yourself to living in a mobile home in the middle of a field is another matter. I don't have a problem at your age of building a new home. Assuming that your job and his are reasonably secure. What's wrong with buying a home at your age? You say that your husband is licensed and certified, I have no problem with him helping to build. You'll note I said "helping." The problem with trying to build a house altogether yourself is that it drags out for such a long period of time that the cost of the money can outrun the savings of doing everything yourself. Sure, the economy is in difficult straits, but it's not the end of the world. Real estate will always have value, and home values will rebound.

DEAR BRUCE: My brother and I have owned the home my mother lived in since it was gift deeded to us in March 2000. My mother passed away of Alzheimer's in March of this year. It is now time to do something with the house. The roof leaks, and there are many other problems too numerous to mention. He wants to rent the house the way it is, but I know you can't rent a house with a leaking roof and other problems. He says he will not spend his money on a house he wants to rent. I would like to fix the house and sell it. He refused to help with the fixes, either with money or working on the property. Is there some way I can make the repairs and make him pay his half? Or document the damage now and not pay later when the damage is going to be much greater now that winter is coming and the rains are starting? We have loved that house, and it makes me sick to see it in ruins. -- L.M., Magalia, Calif.

DEAR L.M.: I don't know what your brother's thinking, but he has no conception of what needs to be done. If you don't spend the money on repairs, the house will be worth less and less. You might ask him whether he would like to sell his half to you. It cannot be worth much in its present condition. That way he would get his money. Whether or not you could pay out of your own resources or have to get a mortgage is another matter. A partner like your brother is nothing but trouble. His unrealistic attitude is not likely to change.