David Brancaccio

Some of that money went to a business model in major demand around here, post-fire remediation.

What about fabrics and clothes?

Do you have to throw it out?

Terica, a child support officer for L.A.

County, got back in August, seven months after the fire.

Terica's retired mom, Mary, lives with her husband, Nate, next door in a separate house that also made it through standing.

The mom also ponied up the cash for decontamination.

Some insurance money was promised, but since she had a loan, the bank controls the payout.

Rebecca and Chris have a standing house facing Terica and Mary.

Even the hot honey is still there.

Rebecca and Chris are both writers and actors without the background to deal with an insurance company that Chris says has canceled their fire coverage.

The reason given?

Because a middleman, his insurance broker, quit the business.

It's not clear the cancellation is legal, but it's a living nightmare.

His hopes for this new year?

All of our stories, including a nurse with a crucial personal finance tip as she deals with a standing house and a total loss house at the same time.

Also tomorrow, rebuilding with sustainability and fire resilience in mind.

My burned street.

All the pieces will be streamable from Marketplace.org.

And in a bid to address the high cost of living, affordability is the word of the moment.