Wondering if you need Debt Consolidation is usually a sign that you mat need some form of debt relief, be it Debt Consolidation, Debt Settlement or a form of Credit Counseling.

There's an old saying in recovery circles that says "If you are sitting in an AA meeting, wondering if you are an alcoholic, you probably are."

The same may be true if you are wondering if you need debt consolidation.  Chances are, you are thinking about it for a reason.  It is highly doubtful that someone sitting in a very healthy financial situation will take time out of their day wishing they had more in their bank account unless they are very greedy!

However, just as with our friend who drinks too much will find a better life in recovery- so too can those who are in too much debt find recovery of a different type- personal financial freedom.  Luckily, in both cases, there is a solution.  

So, do you, in fact need debt consolidation?  Let's take a look at some of the common symptoms of an unhealthy financial situation"

No Expendable Income After Bills are Paid

Working to live and living to work.  When you cannot define yourself by anything other than working and paying bills and nothing else, unless it is a short term remedy, you are missing out on the American Dream.  Unfortunately too many of us live this exact type of existence.

Not able to contribute any money for savings

Whether it is putting money aside for a rainy day (a necessity), saving for a new car, a new home or children's college, living without savings is basically like living on borrowed time.  It can be a hopeless feeling of frustrating when we can look years into our future and imagine ourselves in the exact same situation we are in right now.  Savings, even a little at a time, is important to feel secure and comfortable. 

Rarely or never paying with cash

Using credit cards to pay our basic living expenses will eventually catch up to us.  Eventually the balances will cause the minimum payments to be too high to pay off, thus causing the snowball effect of higher interest rates, then higher payments, then late payments, then even higher interest rates and higher payments.  At some point your expenses will  overtake your income and you will be completely burdened with debt.

Living Paycheck to Paycheck

Many salaried or hourly worker employees get into to trouble because of a temporary financial set back.  If the type of job is not one that allows overtime or extra commission, where you can pick up extra money, one small bump in the road can put you in trouble for months, even years.  Most people actually live paycheck to paycheck, which is very dangerous when something unexpected comes along such as a a medical/health issue, car expense etc).  And of course since the paycheck is always the same, once you get behind you can't get caught up.

Staying sick/not going to the doctor

It's one thing to ride out a common cold or flu for a week or two.  It's another to remain sick because we cannot afford to take ourselves to a doctor because of a lack of funds or health insurance.  This is a very common issue in households were money is tight.  Oftentimes it can be a self perpetuating problem as missing work being sick will cause even more larger money issues next month.

Feelings of depression or anxiety

Our minds are wondrous mechanisms for telling our physical bodies that something is wrong.  Depression and anxiety don't come out of nowhere and the catalyst is often times fear of financial insecurity.  People may overlook these mental symptoms or discount them as fatigue or other issues (or ignore them).  Our minds and bodies are built to survive, when there is a threat to our survival they will try to tell us to pay attention to that threat.  This materializes in depression and other disorders which weren't there before. If you have been feeling unmotivated, uninspired, bored, tired, irritable, or sad you may be depressed over money and not know it.

Fighting with your spouse

Money is the number one issue that couples argue over.  Lack of Money is even worse!  In may households, one of the spouses handles the finances.  When things go bad financially there may arise a lot of resentment.  The bill handler will blame the breadwinner for not making enough, the breadwinner will blame the bill handler for not doing a better job handing the money, and many arguments will ensue.  This is looking at the symptoms of the problem, not the problem itself.

Unable to enjoy entertainment

Did you know that in many European countries workers take an entire month off from work?  As ridiculous as this sounds to our American ears,  statistics show that Europeans live happier, healthy and are general more fulfilled in life than their American counterparts.  In fact, on average Americans take 8.5 vacation days a year.  Unfortunately that statistic is misleading.  It is an average based on our entire work force, which means while some of us take 2 weeks, some of us take none at all.  Time to ourselves, and with our familes is precious time that all should be entitled to.  Vacation should not be just a luxury.  Our parents took vacations even though they may have had only blue collar jobs, remember the annual family trip to Lake Chigawaloo, we should be able to as well.

Entertaining "get rich quick" schemes or "work from home" money making plans

There is a reason these types are products are appealing to you.  The actors in the commercials remind you of you!  "Last month we made such and such. Now We are Debt Free."  The companies selling these products know their target audience very well. People who are having financial problems will always be more inclined to let reason slip out of their decision making and get sold on these ideas out of desperation.   Unfortunately, the truth disclosure that states the actual success story you are seeing is based on success rates of about 1%, and is buried at the bottom of the screen and almost impossible to see. 

 Do I Need Debt Consolidation?

Budgeting Debt For Financial Success

Seven Steps to Debt Management will allow you to Achieve Financial Freedom from Debt

Without a sound Debt Management Financial Plan to manage your debt and expenses, a business is doomed to failure - managing your personal finances is no different. A sound personal financial plan is crucial to both your financial and emotional well being. Our Debt Management Professionals have prepared a simple and easy to use budgeting process for you. This debt management and budgeting process will show you how to thoroughly develop a financial plan and lead you on the road to being debt free and having financial freedom.

Credit Counseling or Debt Settlement Which One is for Me?

National Debt Counseling has been in business since 1997 assisting clients with Debt Settlement and Credit Counseling.  Our focus is to counsel our clients and come up with a plan that, in many cases, allows them to eventually become debt free. As a Non-Profit Organization, our first plan of attach is a simple counseling session that allows us to determine if Credit Counseling is a better option or if Debt Settlement is a better option.

Is Home Refinance better than Debt Consolidation?

Many clients have this simple question: Home Refinance or Debt Consolidation?

Many people concerned with debt have come to a crossroad to initiate a Home Refinance to Refinance Their Home with a Home Equity Line of Credit and cash money out of their equity to pay off bills or enroll in a Debt Consolidation Program. The dilemma is becoming more prevalent and as a non-profit organization in business since 1997 we remain objective and evaluate the situation.

Saving Money at the Grocery Store is Easy

Here are our Top 10 Ways to Save money at the Grocery Store.

Food is one of a households biggest expenses. With the increased cost of fuel impacting an increased cost of food delivery, grocery costs are going through the roof. But it is also one of the expenses that we can reduce if we become frugal and smart shoppers. There are ways of saving money at the grocery store, with a close look at what we are buying and how much we are paying for it, we can take a big bite (I couldn't resist) out of our monthly expenditure.  First, eat out less and cook your own food more, this will save an enormous amount of money right from the start. But frugal grocery shopping can be an art and with a little planning, can also be a lot of fun.  Here are 10 ways to save you money at the grocery store, some big money over the long term.

Why will my Creditors work with a Credit Counseling Company and not with me?

A creditor's number one fear is that a borrower will declare bankruptcy.

If a creditor offers an individual concession on one credit account, it does not mean that the consumer will not use their other accounts irresponsibly and force themselves into a bankruptcy situation. Consider your current credit situation.