The majority of people today are not living on a personal budget. The availability of credit has allowed people to purchase what they want when they want with little regard to whether or not they can actually afford it. There is little hope that people will change these patterns of behavior in favor of living on a budget until they realize the number of corresponding advantages.

Credit Card Debt	$ Select One 0 1 - 2,499 2,500 - 4,999 5,000 - 7,499 7,500 - 9,999 10,000 - 12,499 12,500 - 14,999 15,000 - 19,999 20,000 - 29,999 30,000 - 39,999 40,000 - 49,999 50000+
Other Unsecured Debt	$ Select One 0 1 - 2,499 2,500 - 4,999 5,000 - 7,499 7,500 - 9,999 10,000 - 12,499 12,500 - 14,999 15,000 - 19,999 20,000 - 29,999 30,000 - 39,999 40,000 - 49,999 50000+
Number of Creditors	Select One 2 3 4+
Status of Bill Payments	Select One Up to Date About to Fall Behind 1 Month Behind 2 or More Months Behind
I want to	Select One Eliminate My Debt Consolidate My Debt Seek Advice
Own a Home?	Yes  No

A major advantage of living on a budget is that it relieves a great deal of financially related stress. It's always fun to spend money at the time of purchase but it is not nearly as fun when the bill comes do. When this happens, some people resort to using credit cards to pay of other cards. Other times people pay their bills and then choose to obtain "payday advance loans" to get them through until the next check. Both of these situations cause a viscous cycle of debt and growing interest. A budget can help ensure that an accumulation of debt is prevented and money will be available throughout the entire month.

Another advantage associated with budgeting is that it allows an individual to regularly place money into savings plans. This will allow the person to enjoy a comfortable retirement when that stage of life rolls around. It will also provide a financial cushion to cover any emergency situations that may arise.

• Goal achievements. Most people have set financial goals that they would like to reach at some point in the future. Sometimes this may be an exotic anniversary trip, or it may be a brand new car or a college education. A budget can help people save money to make these goals a reality.

• Debt reduction. Many people are being crushed under a heavy load of consumer debt. Without a disciplined pattern of spending it is virtually impossible to make much headway in reducing the debt. A personal budget can provide the framework necessary to begin eliminating these inflated account balances.