Twelve Signs of a Compulsive Debtor
| 1. |
Being
unclear about your financial situation: Not knowing account balances,
monthly expenses, loan interest rates, fees, fines or contractual
obligations. |
| 2. |
Frequently
"borrowing" items such as books, pens, or small amounts of money from
friends or others, and failing to return them. |
| 3. |
Poor savings
habits: Not planning for taxes, retirement or other not-recurring but
predictable items, and then feeling surprised when they come due; a live
for today, don't worry about tomorrow attitude. |
| 4. |
Compulsive
shopping: Being unable to pass up a "good deal"; making impulsive
purchases; leaving price tags on clothes so they can be returned; not
using items you've purchased. |
| 5. |
Difficulty
in meeting basic financial or personal obligations, and/or an inordinate
sense of accomplishment when such obligations are met. |
| 6. |
A different
feeling when buying things on credit than when paying cash, a feeling of
being in the club, of being accepted, of being grown up. |
| 7. |
Living in
chaos and drama around money: Using one credit card to pay another;
bouncing checks; always having a financial crisis to contend with. |
| 8. |
A tendency
to live on the edge: Living paycheck to paycheck; taking risks with
health and car insurance coverage; writing checks hoping money will
appear to cover them. |
| 9. |
Unwarranted
inhibition and embarrassment in what should be a normal discussion of
money. |
| 10. |
Overworking
or under earning: Working extra hours to earn money to pay creditors;
using time inefficiently; taking jobs below your skill and education
level. |
| 11. |
An
unwillingness to care for and value yourself: Living in self-imposed
deprivation; denying your own basic needs in order to pay your
creditors. |
| 12. | A feeling of hope that someone will take care of you if necessary, so that you won't really get into serious financial trouble, that there will always be someone you can turn to. |
Debtors
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