Keeping Your Shirt From Creditors Don't let debt take over your dream.

When you first started your business, you were driven by visions of making the big bucks. You didn't mind draining your savings, running up your credit cards and cashing in your 401(k). After all, you were pursuing a dream that got you psyched to start each day.

But now this "dream" freaks you out. The revenue or financing is slow coming in, and your credit is maxed. Your cell phone has been cut off as other past-due bills pile up. The day-to-day financial stress is eating away at your will to keep your business going.

If this sounds like you, there's hope. I've experienced this twice in my entrepreneurial career. The first time was shortly after I left a high school teaching job to launch my writing business; the second was several months after starting a dotcom. In both cases, I've pulled through, keeping my house, family and dream intact.