With all that said, if an individual has determined that a short-term loan is best avenue available, then like anything else one should make best informed decision for his or her given predicament.

When considering a short-term loan, ask yourself these 7 questions:

1.What amount of money do I need?

2.When can I pay this money back (principal and fee)?

3.What are repayment terms?

4.Can I meet these repayment terms? (use a calendar, and your budget)

5.Am I pursuing counseling or planning to pursue counseling, so that I don’t have to continue to utilize these short-term loans?

6.If I can’t pay principal and fee, then can I pay extension fee? (use a calendar and your budget)

7.Is this loan new or is this my 1st, 2nd, or 5th time borrowing from a short-term loan source?

Copyright 2003, Stanley T. Crawford, is webmaster of “Get Money” @ http://www.getmoney.giftadollar.com. “Get Money” lists sources of short-term loans, home equity loans, student consolidation loans, and credit care sources. All Rights Reserved. mailto:cigllc@yahoo.com

While driving home I suddenly realized something.

What I just experienced is exactly what most people experience as they sit down to prepare their tax return each year. All those forms, schedules and worksheets, each with their own set of unique codes and convoluted calculations.

Forms, forms and more forms. They might as well be written in Greek.

For some people, mostly folks with "regular" day jobs and simple W2's, doing your own tax return can be a relatively painless process (particularly if you don't itemize deductions and have no investment income).

And with proliferation of user-friendly tax preparation software programs, I'm sure millions of returns are filed by do-it-yourself-er's without a hitch.

But if you're self-employed or own your own business, and you're new to world of taxes, well, I've got news for you -- be prepared to go through exactly what I went through at Best Buy -- lots of pain, agony and frustration.

And be ready to "give up" and do what I eventually did -- call a professional.

For me, that meant giving my friend George a call. George is a client who also happens to be a "computer guy" with all latest gizmos and gadgets known to mankind.

George was very happy to help me out. He told me exactly what kind of CD drive to get, and then he came over to house and installed thing in 15 minutes! I couldn't believe it! Then he installed some software, spent 10 minutes showing me how to use it, and next thing I know, I'm burning a CD like I've been doing it all my life.

If you are a small business owner or self-employed person and you're trying to prepare you own return this year, how's it going?

Do you think you did OK? Or are you getting by on trial and error with a dose of prayer mixed in ("Please, God, please don't let me get audited!")

Maybe it's time you did what I did.

By George, call a professional.

If you're in over your head, admit it, and get some help. Visit your local tax professional today!