USA Today reports today that Americans have become a nation of ATM users instead of savers. Historically, people have paid down debt on their homes, not taken money out on their homes. But more and more people are treating their homes as piggy banks. People are taking out 800 percent more money on “cash out refinances” on their homes. And banks have been happy to allow you to tap most, if not all, the value of your home. People use the money to buy a car, go on a vacation or pay off debts. But within about 18 months, those debts are back up to the level they were before. So, those folks now owe more on their homes and the credit card bill is still looming. Clark wants you to pay off your home so you can own it. Many people think ownership means buying the home. But ownership actually means you don’t owe anymore on it. It’s time that we start looking at housing in a different way compared to the past five years. Home prices may not go up much this year, and, in many places, they may go down. Then, if your home value doesn’t go anywhere for a few years, you’ll be ok when it’s time to sell.