What the delinquencies tell us is that there are more people who are under financial stress. The rise in energy prices is sucking up much more of households' budgets than they ever did.

Signs of financial stress still are present. The persistent interest rate increases by the Federal Reserve and record high gas prices in the third quarter provided a one-two punch that continued to inflict pain on personal budgets.

My concern is many people are having financial difficulties. Personal savings rates are down. There is less of a buffer to fall back on.

What we're recommending is that people take out as much cash as they would need for a long weekend. And if you're relying on credit cards, request copies of your credit report before and after the century change so you can spot and correct any Y2K errors immediately.

They're drawing on your energy. They draw on your upset, on your stress, on your tired, on your emotional and whatever else is going on with you at the time. Because they pull your energy, you feel like you're sick.

People look at what we do and call us stress junkies. You just say to yourself, 'If I'm going to fall on my butt, what better place to do it than in front of a billion people?