27 signs you don't need to worry about money

Flickr / Natalie Lucier

"How do you want to pay for it?"

I had recently returned from Iraq and my wife and I were hunting for a couch for our new home.

We found one that was on sale we both thought it was perfect.

Okay, it was a red couch and she thought it was perfect. I, personally, didn't understand why anyone would buy a red couch but apparently I didn't understand home decor. Nonetheless, the wife's vote trumped mine.

When the sales clerk asked how we wanted to pay suggesting we take advantage of their great in-store financing, an exciting thought ran through me — "we can pay cash."

A year prior, that wouldn't have been an option. Not even close!

But now we found ourselves in a very exciting position; we were financially stable.

I can't say that I 100% believed we were financially stable at that point in our lives, but it definitely was a turning point for us. Not only could we pay cash, but we also had money left over.

People often spend most of their lives chasing financial stability. But is it possible that you may already be financially stable?

Here are 27 signs that you're financially stable — already! And if you're not, you can start working to make a lot of these a reality in your life.

1. You never overdraw your checking account.

Even if you have overdraft protection with your checking account, you still prefer to keep a cushion in your account, rather than relying on the protection. And you absolutely, positively, never bounce a check!

Part of it has to do with your aversion to paying overdraft fees. But mostly, it's because you have a sufficient amount of money that you can keep more in your checking account then you need in a typical month.

2. You don't lose sleep over finances.

When you go to sleep at night, you tend to sleep deeply and peacefully. And if anything does keep you awake, it's usually not related to financial matters.

This is a non-financial benefit that people who are financially stable have as a result of their strong financial position. This isn't to say that you don't have any money worries at all, but rather that they are not significant, and never without some sort of reasonable solution.

3. You use credit cards for convenience and rewards — but never out of necessity.

I currently have 4 credit cards in my wallet and use them almost every day. <gasp!>

How could you, Jeff? You're a Certified Financial Planner!

Yes, I am, but here's the catch: I pay them off every month. As a bonus, we collect reward points which we use for airlines miles. Boo-yah!

Many people who are not financially stable have a bad habit of using credit cards as a way to extend their paychecks — to buy the things that they really can't afford.

That's not an issue in your life!

If you do use a credit card, it will strictly be for convenience, such as being able to make a fast payment online. Or you will do it because your credit card company provides you with rewards for making purchases.