Are You in Debt Danger?

  1. Do you pay your  balance in full every month?

    Never, I always carry a balance
    Most times but occasionally I carry a balance
    Always

  2. Do you know your  credit score?

    No, I don’t know my credit score
    I know  an estimate of my score from the free online estimators
    Yes, I  pay to get my credit score when I check my reports

  3. Is your credit score at least 720?

    I don’t know my credit score
    No, but it is between 680 – 720
    Yes, I have maintained a pretty good credit score

  4. Do you have between one and three credit accounts?

    No, I have more than four credit accounts
    No, I have four credit accounts
    Yes, I have chosen and limited my credit accounts to three or less.

  5. Do you pay your credit bills on time every month?

    No, I end up paying my bills late often.
    Most of the time I pay on time but I have paid late at least once or twice this year.
    Always, I want to keep a good credit history

  6. Are your credit cards maxed out?

    Yes, my credit cards are either maxed or very close to the limit
    My credit cards aren’t maxed but my debt is around half the limit
    No, I keep my credit debt low or nonexistent

  7. Have you paid your credit card bill late?

    Yes, I have paid my bill late several times
    Yes, but only once or twice
    Never, I know paying late makes my credit score drop.

  8. Do you pay the minimum amount only on your credit bills?

    Yes, for the most part I only pay the minimum amount asked
    I try to pay more than the minimum unless money is tight
    I try to pay my balance in full every month

  9. Has a creditor closed an account on you?

    Yes, I have had an account closed recently or more than one account closed on me
    Yes, but I have improved my credit habits since then
    Never

  10. Do you open new accounts just to get the store discount?

    Yes, I like saving that 10%
    I have done it in the past but not lately
    No, I know it affects my credit score when I do that

20 - 15 You are probably in over your head in debt problems. You need to take immediate action to improve your situation. Call the Financial Fitness Program to set up a financial advising appointment to assist you in devising a plan to deal with your debt.

14 - 7 You are practicing many habits that can prove to be detrimental to your credit history and put you in debt danger. Attending the Debt 101 workshop could provide you with knowledge and suggestions for taking control of your credit & debt.

6 - 0 The good news is that you are not practicing several bad habits when it comes to debt. The bad news is that answering yes to even one question can mean you are doing something that can be detrimental to your credit history. Review the Control Credit & Debt section for helpful tips.