How can I tell if I'm having credit problems?

The Consumer Credit Counseling Service says you may be facing a credit emergency if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions. Have you:

• Argued with your spouse over bills?
• Increased the percentage of your income being used to pay off debts?
• Approached or reached your credit limits?
• Paid only the minimum on revolving charge accounts?
• Been chronically late in paying bills?
• Borrowed to pay for items you used to pay for in cash?
• Put off medical or dental visits for financial reasons?
• Reached a point where losing your job would place you in immediate financial difficulty?
• Been threatened with repossession of your car, credit cards or other legal action?
• Avoided calculating your total debt and are afraid to add it up?

For help, contact a non-profit credit counseling organization in your area.  For more information see the website for the National Foundation for Credit Counseling.

Written by:
Sandra McKinnon, Consumer & Family Economics Specialist, University of Missouri-Columbia, University Outreach and Extension

Cynthia E. Crawford, Ph.D., Consumer & Family Economics Specialist, University of Missouri-Columbia, University Outreach & Extension

Last update: Tuesday, July 05, 2005