Determining whether or not you need debt counseling starts with an honest appraisal of your finances. Create a budget and look at your bills as compared to your income. Make a list of what you owe on each credit card as well as the APR percentage rate for each. Keep a fresh pad of paper and pencil handy to do a little math, and figure out if you need debt counseling. If you can access previous credit card statements online or have the hard copies available, keep these close by as well.



Take a look at the paperwork you've gathered together and ask yourself the following questions:

Do you have debt that amounts to more than $8,000?

Do you have multiple credit cards, many of which are over their limits ? or about to be?

Can you only afford to make the minimum payments on your credit cards each month?

Are you making the minimum payments each month?

Do your average bills add up to more than your monthly income?

Do you incur fees regularly for late payments or overdrawing your checking and credit card accounts?

Do creditors call your house looking for payment?

Do you have a savings account or any kind of investments?

Do you have a plan for how you are going to get rid of this debt?

If you don't have any savings, your credit card debt is intimidating, and you are racking up fees because you are unable to make regular payments, then the answer is yes. You do need debt counseling. Getting help sooner rather than later will only save you money in the long run. Just imagine how good it will feel to get out of debt and get on with your life.