Many times we don't recognize signs of financial trouble until we're already trapped. But a financial crisis typically doesn't occur overnight. Watch for warning signs that your financial situation may be getting out of control.

Consider the following important symptoms of finacial trouble:

• Do you occassionally miss payments or pay only the monthly minimum on credit cards and charge accounts? Are your cards at, near or over your credit limit?
• Do you depend on a second job or overtime pay to cover monthly bills?
• Do you regularly borrow money from friends and relatives or depend on cash advances to cover basic expenses or pay your credit bills?
• Is it next to impossible for you to save money, or have you cleaned out your savings as a way of paying your debts?
• Do you float or bounce checks on a regular basis, hoping checks you've written don't clear before payday?
• What is the total amount of debt that you owe? Can you account for all of your debt? Do you purposely hide credit bills from family members or avoid adding up the total of the amount of outstanding debt you owe?
• Have you consolidated debts through a high-interest lender, or are you considering doing so?
• When faced with unexpected expenses, such as car repairs, do you panic?

If you've identified any of these financial warning signs in your own life, you may be living beyond your income, and depending on credit, cash advances, or loans to maintain your lifestyle. When your finances are stretched to the limit, you may find that unexpected expenses can quickly throw your already shaky financial situation out of control.

Luckily, financial problems don't have to go from bad to worse. By first recognizing, and then finding solutions to your debt problems, you can escape the turbulent tide of financial distress. Through timely and effective intervention you can put an end to problems before they become disastrous.