Every so often I cannot help but to think “How did we get into this awful mess?”. I mean, us the American people, and specifically I’m talking about our financial distresses – both as a nation and as individuals: most people I know have accumulated over the years quite a substantial credit card debt. Many such people have already running behind on their credit card payments, and a few of them are genuinely stuck in credit card hell. So I cannot help but to think… how did we ever let this happen? I’d have thought we’d all know better, but the facts state otherwise.
Truth be told, I must admit I’m no better, since I owe more money to the bank that I’ll probably be able to repay in the next couple of years. Regardless, I’m quite grateful I was wise enough not to bury myself in debt, like some people I know. I still have valid credit (which I really don’t plan to use, unless I’m faced with some irrevocable life-or-death emergency), and I’m holding steady to my tech assistance day job… which is grossly underpaid and unnerving, but all the while provides me with the vital cash flow that makes me through the monthly bills. Granted, I currently don’t have much money to spend on frivolities… but that’s mostly because I’m still paying off my past indulgences. All the while I’m still better off than most of my close friends, so I’d like to make it clear I’m really not complaining, here.
If you can relate with these kind of troubles (I guess nowadays about 90% of Americans certainly can), here’s my word of advice: do whatever it takes to get into a comfortable zone. Even if you have to give up on your pleasures and vices and live a frivolous life for a year or two… just make sure you keep your debts from piling up. And when you succeed doing so, know it’s only half the battle: then you’ll have to figure out a way to actually clear your debts (a good Debt Consolidation program might help). Just don’t stand there waiting for better days, and above all, don’t keep spending money you don’t have: say no to credit!