Debt can be a very depressing situation. Millions of Americans have a financial deficit each month, meaning they are actually sending out more money for bills and payments they the earn. When faced with a financial tragedy you may think about turning to alternative sources for help. One of the obvious choices for financial help is your family. However, I think relying on family for financial help is a bad idea.

Why wouldn’t you look to your family for financial help? After all, if your family can’t help you then who do you have? That’s my point exactly. The number one cause of divorce in America is financial issues. Money problems break up hundreds of families each day. Those problems however can extend outside marriage to other family members as well.

There are hundreds of examples of how little Johnny or Jill asked mom or dad to co-sign for their first car or house. Johnny or Jill skipped a couple of payments and the creditors came looking for mom and dad for the money. This can cause great tension within families and sometime cause a lot of grief.

If you struggling to make ends meet there are other options than borrowing money from family members. Even if you wreck your personal finances you will still have your family!