SYMPTOMS OF COMPULSIVE DEBTING
(from
DA national
website)
1. Being unclear about your financial
situation. Not knowing account balances, monthly expenses, loan
interest rates, fees, fines, or contractual obligations.
2. Frequently "borrowing" items such
as books, pens, or small amounts of money from friends and others, and
failing to return them.
3. Poor saving habits. Not planning
for taxes, retirement, or other not-recurring but predictable items,
and then feeling surprised when they come due; a "live for today,
don't worry about tomorrow" attitude.
4. Compulsive shopping: Being unable
to pass up a "good deal"; making impulsive purchases; leaving price
tags on clothes so they can be returned; not using items you've
purchased.
5. Difficulty in meeting basic
financial or personal obligations, and/or an inordinate sense of
accomplishment when such obligations are met.
6. A different feeling when buying
things on credit than when paying cash, a feeling of being in the
club, of being accepted, of being grown up.
7. Living in chaos and drama around
money. Using one credit card to pay another; bouncing checks; always
having a financial crisis to contend with.
8. A tendency to live on the edge:
living paycheck to paycheck; taking risks with health and car
insurance coverage; writing checks hoping money will appear to cover
them.
9. Unwarranted inhibition and
embarrassment in what should be a normal discussion of money.
10. Overworking or underearning:
Working extra hours to earn money to pay creditors; using time
inefficiently; taking jobs below your skill and education level.
11. An unwillingness to care for and
value yourself: Living in self-imposed deprivation; denying your basic
needs in order to pay your creditors.
12. A feeling or hope that someone
will take care of you if necessary, so that you won't really get into
serious financial trouble, that there will always be someone you can
turn to.
