Vermont Retirement Planners, LLC

54 Highland Avenue
Manchester Center, VT 05255
nick@vtretirement.com
(802) 367-3958

87 North Main St.
Rutland, VT 05701
nick@vtretirement.com
(802) 772-7945

Money Read Time: 4 min

Spotting Credit Trouble

American households carry an average revolving credit card balance of $7,876 from month to month.1

The wise use of credit is a critical skill in today’s world. Used unwisely, credit can rapidly turn from a useful tool to a crippling burden. There are a number of warning signs that you may be approaching credit problems:

  1. Have you used one credit card to pay off another?
  2. Have you used credit card advances to pay bills?
  3. Do you regularly use a charge card because you are short on cash?
  4. Do you charge items you might not buy if you were paying cash?
  5. Do you need to use your credit cards to buy groceries?
  6. Are you reluctant to open monthly statements from creditors?
  7. Do you regularly charge more each month than you pay off?
  8. Do you write checks today on funds to be deposited tomorrow?
  9. Do you apply for new credit cards so you can increase borrowing?
  10. Are you receiving late and over-limit credit card charges?

It is important to recognize the warning signs of potential credit problems. The more quickly corrective action is taken, the better. Procrastinating might result in financial difficulty down the road.

1. NerdWallet.com, January 10, 2023

The content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information. The information in this material is not intended as tax or legal advice. It may not be used for the purpose of avoiding any federal tax penalties. Please consult legal or tax professionals for specific information regarding your individual situation. This material was developed and produced by FMG Suite to provide information on a topic that may be of interest. FMG Suite is not affiliated with the named broker-dealer, state- or SEC-registered investment advisory firm. The opinions expressed and material provided are for general information, and should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security. Copyright FMG Suite.

 

Related Content

The Real Cost of a Vacation Home

The Real Cost of a Vacation Home

What if instead of buying that vacation home, you invested the money?

Avoiding Cognitive Decline

Avoiding Cognitive Decline

Try these activities to keep your brain sharp.

Are You Ready for Your Portfolio to Make a Difference?

Are You Ready for Your Portfolio to Make a Difference?

Learn about the rise of Impact Investing and how it may benefit you.

 

Have A Question About This Topic?







Thank you! Oops!

Making a Charitable Contribution

There are benefits and limitations when you decide to donate stock.

A Living Trust Primer

Living trusts are popular, but their appropriateness will depend upon your individual needs and objectives.

Questions to Ask About Medicare

Take the guesswork out of your IEP or SEP with this helpful article.

View all articles

Inflation & Retirement

Estimate how much income may be needed at retirement to maintain your standard of living.

Contributing to an IRA?

Determine if you are eligible to contribute to a traditional or Roth IRA.

Can I Refinance My Mortgage?

This calculator can help determine whether it makes sense to refinance your mortgage.

View all calculators

5 Smart Investing Principles

Principles that can help create a portfolio designed to pursue investment goals.

Protecting Those Who Matter Most

The importance of life insurance, how it works, and how much coverage you need.

Investment Strategies for Retirement

Investment tools and strategies that can enable you to pursue your retirement goals.

View all presentations

Bursting the Bubble

Tulips were the first, but they won’t be the last. What forms a “bubble” and what causes them to burst?

Tuning Your Social Security Benefit

When should you take your Social Security benefit?

What You Need to Know About Social Security

Every so often, you’ll hear about Social Security benefits running out. But is there truth to the fears, or is it all hype?

View all videos