The Twelve Tools of Debtors Anonymous

Recovery from compulsive debting begins when we 6. Action Plan stop incurring new, unsecured , one day at a With the help of our Pressure Relief Group, we time. ( is any debt that is not backed develop a list of specific actions for resolving our up by some form of , such as a house or , improving our financial situation, and other asset.) We attain a daily reprieve from achieving our goals without incurring unsecured debt. compulsive debting by practicing the Twelve Steps and by using the following Tools. 7. The Telephone and the Internet We maintain frequent contact with other D.A. 1. Meetings members by using the telephone, email, and other We attend meetings at which we share our forms of communication. We make a point of talking experience, strength, and hope with one another. to other D.A. members before and after taking Unless we give to newcomers what we have received difficult steps in our recovery. from D.A., we cannot keep it ourselves. 8. D.A. and A.A. Literature 2. Record Maintenance We study the literature of Debtors Anonymous and We maintain records of our daily income and of to strengthen our expenses, of our , and of the retirement of any understanding of compulsive disease and of recovery portions of our outstanding debts. from compulsive debting.

3. Sponsorship 9. Awareness We have found it essential to our recovery to have a We maintain awareness of the danger of compulsive sponsor and to be a sponsor. A sponsor is a debt by taking note of bank, company, and recovering debtor who guides us through the Twelve card and their effects on us. We Steps and shares his or her own experience, strength, also remain aware of our personal in order and recovery. to avoid vagueness, which can lead to compulsive debting or spending. 4. Pressure Relief Groups and Pressure Relief Meetings 10. Business Meetings After we have gained some familiarity with the D.A. We attend business meetings that are held monthly. program, we organize Pressure Relief Groups Many of us have long harbored that consisting of ourselves and two other recovering “business” was not a part of our lives but for others debtors who have not incurred unsecured debt for at more qualified. Yet participation in running our own least 90 days and who usually have more experience program teaches us how our organization operates, in the program. The group meets in a series of and also helps us to become responsible for our own Pressure Relief Meetings to review our financial recovery. situation. These meetings typically result in the formulation of a spending plan and an action 11. Service plan. We perform service at every level: personal, meeting, Intergroup, and World Service. Service is 5. Spending Plan vital to our recovery. Only through service can we The spending plan puts our needs first and gives us give to others what so generously has been given to clarity and balance in our spending. It includes us. categories for income, spending, debt , and savings (to help us build cash reserves, however 12. Anonymity humble). The income plan helps us focus on We practice anonymity, which allows us freedom of increasing our income. The debt payment category expression by assuring us that what we say at guides us in making realistic payment arrangements meetings or to other DA members at any time will without depriving ourselves. Savings can include not be repeated. prudent reserve, retirement, and special purchases. © 2005 Debtors Anonymous General Service Board, Inc. Revised 2013 Registered D.A. groups have permission to copy these Tools for distribution to their members.