$$$ Checkup As U. S. consumer debt nears ONE TRILLION DOLLARS, plenty of people are out of financial control. We hope you're in solid financial shape, but maybe you're not sure. Here's a way to find out. The $$$ Checkup Station tells it like it is. Directions: Answer all questions honestly, one answer per question. Automatic scoring will still work if you leave questions blank, but the result will be less useful. Important: Your checkup is 100 percent confidential. Guaranteed. The results are between you, our software (which remembers nothing about you) and your bank accounts. So take the plunge -- you have nothing to lose and a lot to gain -- maybe even the financial catbird seat!   Charge Card Behavior: 1. How close to the spending limit are you on your primary charge card? Just about at the limit Approaching the limit About halfway there Pretty far away Real far away 2. In the past year, have you ever used one credit card (or loan) to pay off another credit card (or loan)? Yes No 3. Do you typically pay only the monthly minimum on your charge accounts, or do you usually pay more than the minimum? Yes, I usually pay only the minimum No, I usually pay more than the minimum 4. Do you now find yourself charging everyday items (e.g., groceries) when you used to buy them with cash or a check? Yes No   Bill-paying Habits: 5. Do you usually pay your bills after their due dates? Yes, I'm usually late paying bills No, I'm usually on time paying bills 6. Do you frequently hope that the checks you just wrote to pay bills won't clear the bank before the next payday? Yes No 7. Have you borrowed within the past year from a friend or relative to cover everyday expenses? Yes No 8. Have you dipped into your savings within the past 12 months to pay your regular bills? Yes No 9. Do you rely upon spousal overtime (if married) or upon your own second job/moonlighting (if unmarried) to pay your monthly bills? Yes No   General: 10. If asked right now, could you say exactly how much you owe, all debts combined? Yes, I can say exactly how much No, I'm not sure how much I owe in total 11. How would you react when faced with a large, unexpected expense (like a $400 car repair)? Sheer Terror Mild Panic Worry Mild Concern Relaxed about it 12. Could you afford everything in your day-to-day lifestyle if you had to pay cash or write a check for it? Yes No   Saving and Investing: 13. Do you now have a program of regular monthly investing (any amount) going into a retirement or savings account? Yes No 14. Do you have at least two month's pay saved for unexpected life emergencies? Yes No (Answer the next question only if married with children) 15. If you have a child (no matter how young), have you started regular contributions into her/his college savings account? Yes No