Are you addicted to debt? And I don’t just mean addicted like oh I’m addicted to curly fries, they’re so delicious, I mean addicted like a psycho-chemical need to keep slamming that credit card through the swiper. Maybe you know someone like this. Take this 15 question quiz, and if you answer “yes” to 8 more, you could be an addict.

15. Are your debts making your home life unhappy?
14. Does the pressure of your debts distract you from your daily work?
13. Are your debts affecting your reputation?
12. Do your debts cause you to think less of yourself?
11. Have you ever given false information in order to obtain credit?
10. Have you ever made unrealistic promises to your creditors?
9. Does the pressure of your debts make you careless of the welfare of your family?
8. Do you ever fear that your employer, family or friends will learn the extent of your total indebtedness?
7. When faced with a difficult financial situation, does the prospect of borrowing give you an inordinate feeling of relief?
6. Does the pressure of your debts cause you to have difficulty sleeping?
5. Has the pressure of your debts ever caused you to consider getting drunk?
4. Have you ever borrowed money without giving adequate consideration to the rate of interest you are required to pay?
3. Do you usually expect a negative response when you are subject to a credit investigation?
2. Have you ever developed a strict regimen for paying off your debts, only to break it under pressure?
1. Do you justify your debts by telling yourself that you are superior to the “other” people, and when you get your “break” you’ll be out of debt overnight?

According to Debtor’s Anonymous, a debt-recovery group based on the Alcoholics Anonymous precepts, if you answer yes to eight or more of these,”he chances are that you have a problem with compulsive debt, or are well on your way to having one. If this is the case, today can be a turning point in your life.

We have all arrived at this crossroad. One road, a soft road, lures you on to further despair, illness, ruin, and in some cases, mental institutions, prison, or suicide. The other road, a more challenging road, leads to self-respect, solvency, healing, and personal fulfillment. We urge you to take the first difficult step onto the more solid road now. “

15 Questions [Debtor’s Anonymous] (Photo: DCvision2006)

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