Five Signs Your Finances Are In Trouble

The loss of a job, a sudden illness or another crisis can spell financial trouble for any family. Sometimes, however, people make small mistakes that add up over time to create big problems for their finances, according to the Virginia Society of CPAs. CPAs recommend that you watch out for these warning signs that can signal potential financials pitfalls.

1. You have no budget.

With a budget, you can take stock of how much money you have coming in each month, what your expenses are and what’s left over once you’ve paid them. Without this realistic assessment, it’s easier to spend too much — often without even realizing you’ve done it — and harder to reach your financial goals. Budgeting is an important first step in managing your money, so take the time now to itemize each month what you earn and what you spend.

2. You have a budget, but you usually outspend it.

Creating a budget is a good start, but then you have to follow it. If you find yourself spending far more on discretionary items, such as entertainment or clothing, than you budgeted for, it’s time to cut back. If you want to splurge, set aside some cash each week for fun, but don’t spend more than you planned for.

3. You pay only the minimums on your credit cards.

Credit cards make it easy to spend, but they can be tough to pay off if you charge too much. If you make only minimum payments on your debt each month, a $1,000 debt can take up to 22 years to pay off. And during that time, you will continue to pay interest charges well in excess of your original purchases.
If you find yourself in this position, limit future spending by cutting back to just one card that you use only in emergencies. Then, chart a new budget that will allow you to increase your monthly payments and begin reducing the size of your debt.

4. You are using one credit card to pay off another.

This is a clear sign that spending is seriously out of control. It’s also an expensive way to manage debts since instead of erasing your outstanding balance you are simply shifting it to a new card with its own interest payments. A related warning sign is using your credit card to pay for regular expenses — such as food, rent or car payments — because you don’t have enough cash to cover those costs. There are both indications that it’s time to rein in spending.

5. You have no savings.

Families are saving less than they have in the recent past and taking on more debt, according to the Federal Reserve. Without a savings cushion, it’s harder to bounce back from financial setbacks and less likely that you’ll be able to afford vacations and other indulgences. To fix this problem, start with small weekly deposits to a savings account. Stick with your savings plan and you’ll be amazed how your balance will add up over time.

Take control

As part of the Financial Fitness program, Virginia CPAs have created a special Web site to help people with all their financial concerns. Visit www.FinancialFitness.org for articles and tools that you can use to gain control over your financial life. Remember, too, that your local CPA can offer smart ideas and recommendations to help you with any aspect of your finances.

The Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants (VSCPA) is the leading professional association dedicated to enhancing the success of CPAs. Founded in 1909, the VSCPA has approximately 8,300 members who work in public accounting, industry, government and education. For more information, please visit the Press Room on the VSCPA Web site at www.vscpa.com, e-mail vscpa@vscpa.com or call (800) 733-8272. For more information on financial literacy topics like money management, or to search for a CPA in your geographic region, visit www.FinancialFitness.org.

© 2008 American Institute of Certified Public Accountants