And truth of matter is, we are in danger of fraudulent actions being taken against us in many other areas of our daily lives, as well. We live in an age of dishonest actions. No one is really exempt, even if they never use Internet. It can happen while standing at an ATM or even in grocery line.

Twenty years ago, a friend of mine began receiving phone calls at home from a complete stranger who apparently had read information off of a check she was writing out for cashier at grocery store.

It is possible for others to go through our garbage - if they are intent on finding information of a personal nature. The fact is, we are unprotected on many fronts when it comes to personal information. If someone is bent on committing ‘information theft ‘ against us, they can find a way to do it without much effort.

The Internet is a safe place - when used wisely.

Shopping on Internet is safe...as long as it is given same consideration as one would use whenever giving out personal information anywhere. There are simple guidelines given us for using an ATM machine, for using Traveler's Checks, and even for using cash. Those same types of guidelines work well for most places we shop.

For example:

• "When using cash - don't flash". Flashing your wad of bills around for others to see is just plain foolish. Keeping your cash in your front shirt or pants pocket is much safer than in your wallet in a back pocket - or in a purse that can be easily snatched from your grip.

• "When using checks - check". Be aware of who is standing around you, and how closely they are positioned to you. Don't offer your information ‘out loud'... if cashier needs your driver's license number, for instance, write it out or show your license to them, only. Be as prepared as possible ahead of time so that less time and less information is required of you during check out process.

• "Your Social Security number should be secure". No one can demand your social security number for purposes of selling you something. It is not lawful. Giving your S.S. number out too freely can be more risky than you realize. Guard it.

I have listed several methods and circumstances below that may help manage setting up your budget and begin to pay those overdue bills. Since there are as many different budgets as there are people that try to set them up, this list may not be all inclusive. It may, however, give you some ideas that will fit your individual problem.

Unless you don't have any income at all, there are a couple of things that should never be late. Your rent or house payment and utilities should be paid first, even at expense of other bills. This is simply a matter of survival.

The first thing you need to do when setting up a budget is to determine how much actual take home income you have. Then determine amount of your normal bills and expenses. The Complete Budget and Bill Organizer http://www.homemoneyhelp.com/BBOonline.html explains this in greater detail and provides forms to put it on paper.

The below methods assume that you have enough money to cover your normal bills and expenses but have some bills that have an amount that is overdue:

When you are setting up your budget and have overdue bills you need to cut your expenses to bare bones. This doesn't mean going without food. However, there are many ways to cut back on expenses. You can find hundreds of them by visiting my Budget Stretcher Partner sites listed at http://www.homemoneyhelp.com.

You should always make initial contact to company any time you aren't able to pay a bill on time. Once you have your budget setup, see if there is any money left over to start paying amount that is behind. If you do have some money left over, when you contact company, find out if they will accept paying a little extra each month, without penalty, until overdue amount is paid in full.

Contact a your local Consumer Credit Counseling Service. You can find them in your phone book. They can assist you by contacting your creditors and establishing a payment schedule that will fit your budget.