Recognizing the Signs of Financial Distress

1. You are only able to make the minimum payment on your credit cards.
   
2. You use one source of credit to pay another
3. You consistently depend on overtime or a second job to cover your monthly expenses.
4. You take cash advances against your paycheques from high interest bearing sources.
5. You hide purchases from your friends and family.
6. You write cheques before payday, hoping that they don't clear the bank right away.
7. You find yourself depleting your savings (if any) to meet your monthly financial obligations.
8. Collectors begin harassing you on the telephone.
9. Statements of claim, legal actions or bailiffs begin arriving at your house.

Be aware that any one of these is a CLEAR sign of financial DISTRESS and warrants you taking some kind of action to alleviate these matters. Know what your options are.