More to think about In determining your own debt load limits, you also need to consider:   • The stability of your income • Your other regular expenses • Your need for cash from month to month • The changes in your cash needs as you and your household grow older • All your personal needs and wants and goals • Any extraordinary expenses you might have which would affect the standard rules, such as caring for sick family members or special medical needs. • Remember that your debt SPENDS your future income.  And you have less money now to do things you want to do because you must pay for items you've already bought, and in many cases, already discarded. • Begin the habit of regular savings.It's cheaper to save for an item first than to buy it on credit and then make payment installments with interest accrued.Keep your future debt load reasonable.   Back to Top | Next (Warning signs)