1 money wise

It can actually be a bit difficult to know when your finances are in such bad shape that you need some outside help. Many times people let their finances get too far out of control before they ask for help and then their only option is filing bankruptcy.

Before you get that far in debt you need to recognize some of the signs that you are getting into trouble and should seek help from a professional before you do end up in bankruptcy court.

Do you often only pay the minimum amount due on credit card bills?

This is a sure sign you will end up in trouble. You should be paying more than the minimum most of the time.  You need to be paying down the interest and the balance and making the minimum payment will not do that.

Do you run out of money each month and end up having to borrow money or get a loan to pay bills?

You should have a budget in place that prevents you from not being able to meet your expenses.  If you are borrowing money or paying late fees you need to do something about it because you are just wasting money.

Is your debt on the back burner because you just do not have the extra money to put towards it?

Ignoring your debt is bad.  It will not go away.  Instead it will get bigger.

If you see any of these problems in your finances then it may be time to consult a professional who can help you establish a budget and set up a good payback schedule for debt.