Rate yourself on a scale of 1-5 (no denial – totally in denial) on each of these seven levels, then ask a friend whom you trust to be honest with you to rate you as well.

Be honest with yourself. Look where you don’t want to look. That’s where the miracles are.

The first level of denial: not acknowledging or hiding from how much debt you have, how little you’re saving or how poorly you’re managing your money

The second level of denial: not taking full accountability for whatever your financial situation is (blaming the economy or something/someone else or making up stories [more]