AAA Fair Credit Foundation - Helping those in financial difficulty gain control of their finances, repay their debts, become fiscally educated and avoid bankruptcy.

Credit Counseling Steps into the Ring with a New Debt Relief Program

A new plan to help families struggling with consumer debt problems was announced at a press conference sponsored by Utah Governor Gary Herbert and House Speaker David Clark in the state capitol on February 17, 2010. This program�the first in the nation�is the result of bipartisan legislation that permits the �means-tested,� partial payment program to be offered by nonprofit Consumer Credit Counseling companies.

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Personal Financial Stability Survey

Use our evaluation tool to help you determine your financial stability risk score. Answer the questions honestly to determine an accurate assessment. If your finances are combined with someone else�s we recommend completing this independently and then compare your answers.

What percentage of your income have you saved during the last 6 months?
10% or more
Less than 10%
None
How many times during the last six months have one of your credit cards or store cards reached its maximum limit?
None
1 to 2
3 or more
How many times during the last 6 months has one of your bank accounts been overdrawn?
None
1 to 2
3 or more
How many times during the last six months has a bill been paid late?
None
1 to 5
6 or more
How many credit cards and/or store cards do you currently have for personal use?
3 or less
4 to 6
7 or more
If you lost your primary source of income, how many months could you provide for all of your basic needs and meet each of your financial obligations?
3 or more
1 to 3
Less than 1
When a credit card or store card is used to make a purchase, how often is the entire balance paid the following month?
Always
Sometimes
Never
If a major appliance or repair, auto repair, or home repair were suddenly required, what source of money would be used to pay for it?
Funds already on hand
Funds from available credit
No funds available without establishing additional credit
If you are single, how frequently during the last 6 months have you spent time reviewing your financial situation and making financial decisions? If you have a partner, how frequently during the last 6 months have you spent time with your partner reviewing your joint financial situation and making joint financial decisions?
Weekly
Monthly
Rarely or not at all
How many times during the last year have you spent time with your partner reviewing your retirement plan? If you are single, how many times have you spent time reviewing your own retirement plan?
One or more
None
I don�t have a retirement plan
Have you created a written spending plan (budget) during the last 12 months?
Yes
I have a spending plan, but it is not written out
I�ve never even thought about creating a spending plan
How often is a monthly spending plan used to manage your household spending?
Almost always
Sometimes
Rarely to never
What information do you use most often to determine if regular household purchases can be made?
The balance remaining in the budget
The balance remaining in a bank account, credit card or store card
Little or no information � I don�t even think twice about it
The insurance I have to cover the loss of major assets including Real Estate, Autos, and Personal Property is:
Enough to cover the replacement cost
Less than enough to cover the replacement cost
An amount that I�m unsure about or don�t have coverage
The insurance I have to cover the loss of life is:
Enough to cover internment costs and replace my income for remaining dependents
Enough to cover internment costs but not enough to adequately replace my income for remaining dependents
An amount that I�m unsure about or I don�t have coverage
The insurance I have to cover a disability is:
Enough to adequately replace my current income
Less than enough to adequately replace my current income
An amount that I�m unsure about or I don�t have coverage
The last time a major purchase was made, the primary consideration was:
The total purchase price relative to available funds
The monthly payment relative to available cash flow
The monthly payment without a complete understanding of its impact
Major purchases are:
Planned and saved for
Planned but not adequately saved for
Unplanned and completely spontaneous
How often do you check to make sure you have adequate funds in your bank account(s)?
Rarely since I always have adequate funds
Weekly
Almost daily
How often are issues related to finances the root of conflict in your household?
Rarely if ever
A few times a month
Too many to count
How is your overall financial situation this year compared with last year at this time?
Better
About the same
Worse
When I think about my ability to meet future financial obligations for major items (education, child care, housing, etc.) I am:
Completely at ease
Moderately concerned
Very concerned
When I think about my ability to meet future financial obligations and maintain an acceptable lifestyle at retirement, I am:
Completely at ease
Moderately concerned
Very concerned
My approach to personal financial management is:
Proactive � most things are managed according to a plan
Reactive � the squeaky wheel gets the grease
Avoidance � if I don�t think about it, perhaps it will go away
When I think about my level of personal financial stability I feel:
Financially stable
Moderate to weak
Desperate to out of control