1. How often do you have less than $1000.00 left in your primary checking/savings account at the end of the month?

Very often
Often
Seldom
Very seldom

(if you were to have a major emergency where you had to have money right away, is there a point in the month where you wouldn't have it because of a lack of cash reserves and your family could be at risk?)

2. How often do you have NSF fees charged to your checking account?

Very often (more than once a month)
Often (once a month on average)
Seldom (once every 6 months)
Never

3. What is your automobile interest rate?

0 to 3.9% (below the national average)
4% to 6% (the national average rate of car financing)
6.1 to 8% (slightly higher than the national average)
8.1% and over (significantly higher than the national average)

4. Are there home improvements that need to be done by a professional but you are putting them off because you can not afford them?

Yes
No

5. Are you able to take full advantage and contribute the maximum amount to your company's 401k plan? If you don't have an optional 401k plan, have you set up an IRA to prepare for your retirement?

I do not contribute at all to a 401k or IRA.
I contribute 1 to 5% to a 401k or IRA.
I contribute 6 to 10% to my 401K or IRA
I contribute the maximum amount allowable to my 401k or IRA.

6. Are you able to payoff your credit card balances monthly?

Yes
No

(Credit cards should be a convenience that make your life easier. If you have carried a balance on a credit card for over 2 months…the credit card companies are winning)

7. When was the last time you were able to take off work for a week and take your entire family on a "real" vacation?

Less than 6 months ago
6 months to a year ago
A year to a year and a half ago
Over two years ago

(If you were able to consolidate your debt and have only one payment that is much lower than what you were paying now AND the first payment does not come due for 30 to 60 days, would a nice vacation for you and your family be possible?)

8. Do you have a sufficient emergency fund for an extended period of lost income?

I have no savings set aside for an unexpected loss of income.
I have 1 month of reserves set aside for an unexpected loss of income.
I have 2 to 4 months of reserves set aside in case of an unexpected loss of income.
I have 5 or more months of reserves set aside for an unexpected loss in income.

(If your income was lost or even cut for an extended period of time, would your credit suffer and would you pay for the missed payments in the form of higher interest rates for up to seven years?)

9. Have you ever considered putting in an in-ground swimming pool or building on a room addition. Are there major additions to your home that you would like to do that would improve your family's standard of living but you don't think you can afford them?

Yes
No

10. How often do you have to pay "over the limit" fees or late charges on your credit card, consumer, auto, or mortgage debt?

Monthly
Every other month
Once a year
Never

 

11. Are you putting away sufficient funds for your child"s education?

I am not putting any money away for my child's education.
I am well aware of the cost involved in my child"s education when it is time for college and I am saving accordingly.
I have no children.

(Is there a possibility that your children will be held back to a college you can afford rather than the college of their choice because you didn't make the correct sacrifices in savings for their future?)

12. How often do you make additional principal payments on your mortgage?

Every month
Every other month
Once a year
Never

(An additional 5% added to your payment monthly can save you thousands of dollars in interest and allow you to pay off your mortgage years earlier.)

13. Is the vehicle that you are driving safe and dependable?

Very safe and dependable
Safe and dependable
Somewhat safe and dependable
Not safe and dependable

(Is your family driving in a car that needs to be replaced but isn't due to a lack of down payment or you feel you cant afford a new car payment?)

14. How often is the credit that you need and apply for denied?

Never
Very seldom
Often
Very often

(Have you ever been interested in a product because of the low 0% or 3.9% financing, but when you apply you are either denied or offered a much higher rate of interest?)

15. How many times your annual income do you have in Life insurance?

I do not currently have life insurance.
I currently have one to five times my annual income in life insurance.
I currently have 5 to 10 times my annual income in life insurance.
I currently have more than 10 times my annual income in life insurance.

16. Have you ever had a collector call your home or work trying to collect either a past due bill or an old collection account?

Never
Seldom
Often
Very often

(Are you constantly worried that bill collectors are going to start calling your job or that they will call your home when you have company? Are there times when the phone is ringing and you simply don't answer it because it may be a debt collector? If this is the case, our mortgage professionals can show you how simple it would be to stop the calls almost immediately!)

17. Are you currently renting a home and looking to purchase?

Yes
No