Over 45% of Americans carry a balance on their credit card from month to month. This is good news and bad news. That figure shows that most Americans are able to and actually choose to pay off their credit card balance each month. However, it also shows that almost half of Americans fall deeper and deeper into debt as each month goes by. 

What are the warning signs that someone is heading towards financial disaster?

1. You're always paying your bills late: you find yourself not having enough money to pay all of your bills so you have to wait until your next paycheck in order to pay off a bill that was due previously.
2. Your checking account is overdrawn: this has happened to most of us at some point, whether it be due to a mistake or we just had a rough month in the past. However, if this is becoming a habit or is happening frequently, seek assistance immediately.
3. Your credit cards are maxed out: This is quite easy to do while on vacation, so if this happens once a year it's probably not a big deal. On the other hand, if you find yourself using your credit card to pay bills or your cards are maxed out for several months in a row, it's time to get careful.
4. Discussions about money are not calm: A tell-tale sign that you are in financial trouble is that your discussions about money with your partner are hardly ever positive and usually end up heated.
5. You don't have an emergency fund: It's not so bad if you don't have a savings account, but we all need to have some money set aside for an actual urgency or emergency. This is different from a savings account, and if you don't have one it's time to give it some second thought.

If any or most of the these apply to you, you will want to get financial advice or help as soon as possible.