Amount of debt determines, in part, how stressed and desperate a person is as a result of financial problems. However, what caused the debts and how one deals with these financial obligations tells more than amount of debt about a person's reliability, trustworthiness, and judgment.

If a person is not at fault for the financial problems and is dealing with them in a reasonable manner, security concern is substantially alleviated. On the other hand, debts caused by irresponsible or impulsive behavior or by gambling, alcohol abuse or drug abuse are a serious concern. A person who is irresponsible in fulfilling financial obligations may be irresponsible in fulfilling other obligations, such as following the rules for protecting classified information.

Financial stress is common among a large segment of the population. Many immature young persons go through a period of difficulty adjusting to the temptations of easy credit. Most people with financial difficulties do not view crime as an appropriate means of solving their problems, but the few who do are a serious concern. Of recent spies who betrayed their country for money, about half were motivated by some real or perceived urgent financial need, and about half by personal greed. Greedy individuals often have a compulsive need for money or goods as a measure of success or as a source of self-esteem, influence, power, or control.

Financial problems can cause people to resort to the extreme. This has happened numerous times in the military and government. An individual gets into debt and resorts to stealing military or trade secrets and sells them to other governments for fast cash. Most don't receive enough to pay their bills, continue to provide the information, and eventually get caught and imprisoned.

If you have reached what you think is the end of your rope, don't take such drastic actions. There are ways to get out of debt and it starts with getting organized, creating and sticking to a budget, and chipping away at the debt little by little.

Your financial problems will not be resolved over night. But, with persistence, you can get out trouble.