Programs that provide access to tools which help people make an assessment of their personal financial situation by recording their income and assets, essential living expenses, discretionary expenses, current debts and other figures to calculate their personal net worth; determine their cash flow situation; develop financial goals; and establish a personal financial plan including a household budget that will enable them to manage their money effectively. Personal financial assessments can also be used in the context of financial counseling to evaluate an individual's ability to pay creditors in situations where the person is in financial difficulty or as a step in determining whether bankruptcy is a viable option.