Whether you consider yourself to be financially responsible, or you always seem to come up short on cash, there are a few key indicators that may indicate you are living beyond your mean. And being aware of them can save you loads of money woes in times of a cash emergency

1. You couldn’t live without your job’s income for at least six months.

If you have a less-than-stable career or you’re self-employed, he recommends saving as much as 12 months worth of income. If you don’t have anything near that amount saved, and worse, you’re in debt, you’re living beyond your means.

2. You go to vacation on credit.

If it takes you longer to pay for the purchase of an item than the actual “life span” of the item, you can’t really afford it. Stop buying things on credit

3. You only consider monthly payments when buying a car.

If you’re in doubt, consider the duration of the loan: If it’s longer than three years, and doesn’t result in owning the vehicle outright at the conclusion of the loan, you’re shopping out of your true budget.

4. You’ve paid an overdraft fee in the last 12 months.

If money is so tight that you have to rely on overdraft protection in order to float your lifestyle, you’re living beyond what you can afford. Period.

5. You’re in debt but you pay someone to do a job you could do yourself.

Instead of paying someone else for skills you possess, do the task yourself and put the savings toward paying down debt, building your emergency savings accounts and funding your retirement.

For more, go to MintLife