No savings for emergencies. Everyone needs a little cash set aside for unexpected problems or glitches. If you have none or if yours has been depleted, you will have no cushion if even small problems come up.

Using one credit card to make the minimum payments on another card. This use "Peter to pay Paul" is a sure sign that things are getting out of control. 

Using credit cards to buy groceries or medication. This is another sure indication that you are digging deeper into debt.

Borrowing money from family or friends. It is good to have family and friends who can help when you need it but it is also an indication that things are going downhill.

Using payday or internet loans. These are popular ways to keep things going where there is "more month than money" left after payday. Things will start to spiral out of control fairly quickly because of the way these lenders insist on pre-authorized payments from your bank account and also because their interest rates are sky high. 

Collection notices or phone calls. If things have gone to a collection agency, it is a sure sign that you are going to need help to sort out your financial problems. 

Deferred doctors appointments, maintenance on your home or your vehicle or inability to fill your prescriptions when needed. 

What should you do if you find yourself with one of more of the situations described above?

Ask for help! There are local and national non-profit groups, like Nonprofit Free Credit Counseling (www.nfcc.com), that specialize in debt counseling and payment plans. Call us if you want to see how it would work if you filed bankruptcy because often it is misunderstood and there are many popular misconceptions.  For example, a discharge in a bankruptcy case followed by active efforts to rebuild your credit will often result in better credit ratings sooner than you would have with a debt payment plan. 

But recognize that these signs mean serious financial problems could be on the way if they aren't addressed.