Financial Stress Test

Answering yes to any of the following questions could be a sign of financial stress.

Yes	No
		Are payments to creditors taking up more and more of your monthly income?
		Have you lost track of how much money you spend each month on debt?
		Are you at, or over, the limit on any of your lines of credit?
		Do you have to choose which bills to pay and which to put off?
		Do you pay late penalties often or every month?
		Do you make only the minimum payment month after month or skip payments?
		Do you find yourself borrowing from one card to pay another?
		Do you frequently use cash advances from credit cards?
		Do you write post-dated checks?
		Do you charge small expenses because you do not have the cash to pay for them?
		Do you use your savings to pay current bills and everyday expenses?
		Has your credit card been declined or have you been turned down for additional credit?
		Are creditors starting to contact you for payment?
		Have you lost track of how much you owe?
		Do you worry a lot about money?
		Have you been putting off medical visits, car repairs, or other maintenance because you don't have the cash to pay for it?

If you think you may be under financial stress, try one of the following:

• Talk to your local banker about managing your money and reducing your debt.
• Contact the National Foundation for Credit Counseling for confidential advice.
  Call 800 388-2227 or visit www.nfcc.org for a referral to an office near you.
• Contact your creditors to negotiate a more manageable payment plan.
  Be wary of anyone that claims that they can "fix" your credit.