10 Signs You Have Too Much Debt

You Don't Know How Much You Owe

Hiding from your debt doesn’t make it go away. In fact, if you’re purposely ignoring your debt, you may suspect that you have more debt than you can handle and you’re simply afraid to face up to it.

Pull a copy of your credit reports and your most recent account statements from your creditors to make a list of your accounts and the current balance. This will tell you the exact amount you owe.

Lack Of Money Leads to Late Payments

If your debt payments are higher than your income, it's a sure sign that you have too much debt. Not having enough money for your monthly payments means you miss payments from time to time, which makes your debt problems worse. Paying late triggers late payments and higher interest.

Taking a close look at your monthly spending can help you figure out what you can eliminate to better afford your bills.

Dodging Phone Calls From Bill Collectors

When debt collectors start calling you, your debts have become delinquent and probably unaffordable. You may be able avoid debt collector phone calls for awhile, but don’t underestimate your creditors and debt collectors—they may decide to sue you for what you owe. If the creditor wins the lawsuit, they may be able to get court permission to garnish your wages or levy your bank account.

Borrowing Money to Pay Back Your Debts

If you have to pay your bills with loans from family, friends, credit cards, or cash advance places, you have too much debt. You'll eventually run out of places to borrow money and you'll have to face the debt you've accumulated with your creditors and your loved ones.

Losing Sleep Over Financial Worries

Are you so worried about your bills that you can’t sleep at night? Do you toss and turn fretfully wondering how you’re going to pay the bills? That’s a sure sign that your debt has gotten out of control.

Debt-related stress can lead to other medical problems. Making a plan to deal with your debt can eliminate stress and in some cases, literally save your life.

Your Finances Affect Your Work Performance

When your financial woes spill into the workplace, it’s time to do things differently. Losing your job is the last thing you need right now because a loss in income could put you over the financial edge.

You've Drained Your Savings

The absence of savings itself doesn’t always mean you have more debt than you can handle. If you drained your savings trying to pay off your debt or to make ends meet, that’s when you know there’s a problem.

You Look for Ways to Escape Financial Stress

Many people use drugs and alcohol to avoid facing up to their debt. The high cost of drugs may have even contributed to your debt. Getting treatment for substance abuse will be one of the first steps you have to take if you want to get out of debt for good.

You Need Credit to Survive

When you have to buy groceries with a credit card, it’s a sign of a deeper issue – you don’t have enough money to sustain your lifestyle. You may not make enough money at all or you could be mishandling the money you are making. Either way, you have to figure out how to survive on the income you make or increase your income.

You're Hiding Your Spending

If you can’t be honest with your loved ones about your debt, chances are you have too much of it. You may even hide it because you’re afraid they’ll stop you from spending, which might be a sign of that you’re addicted to debt.