The mind and the heart are in a never ending battle when it comes to decision making. Our minds know what we should do, but the strings of our heart pull us in an opposite direction.
We shop when we know we shouldn’t. We buy additional items at the grocery store that were not on the original shopping list. We give in to our children when we know we can’t afford it (those pitiful eyes get us every time). We don’t set aside the savings we promised ourselves. We don’t put aside that extra money to start the emergency fund. The list can go on and on.
I’ve heard the saying that “Success Leaves Clues”, well when you are in too much debt, “Debt Leaves Clues”, too. If you ever find that you are constantly stressed about your money, you might be what is called overindebted. Overindebted is when one has too much debt causing financial stress.
Here are seven signs that you might be “In Over Your Head”:
- Living paycheck to paycheck. Are you robbing Peter to pay Paul? Do you borrow from a friend or use credit until the next payday?
- Maxed out credit cards. Do you pay over the limit fees on your credit cards?
- Paying only the minimum. Are you able to pay more than the minimum amount due?
- No clue about total amount of debt. Are you afraid to know how much debt you have? Do you avoid thinking about how much total debt you owe.
- Consistently late paying bills. Do you constantly pay late charges for overdue bills?
- At the brink of repossession or foreclosure. Have collectors been calling for non-payment? Are they threatening to repossess their property?
- Never ending cycle of debt. Do you borrow from one source to pay back another? Are you ever able to payoff a debt without applying for new debt?
Overcoming Overindebtedness
The scariest thing about being overwhelmed with debt is the loss of hope. What we have to understand is that we don’t walk this path alone. Take comfort in knowing that there are many walking beside us, we may not know who they are, they may not want to admit it, but they do exist.
We also have to understand that it’s easy to get into a mess, but it takes hard work to get out of one. It requires courage, patience, persistence and a wanting. Wanting? Yes…wanting to achieve a life of freedom from debt and all of the stress that goes along with it.
Taking that first step is the hardest, but it’s something that must be done for you and by you. Before long, you’ll find that the creditors stop calling, you don’t have to ask friends to borrow money and your bills are paid on time. There will rise in you a sense of pride and accomplishment. Now, what price tag can be put on that feeling?
Are you ready????
