As far as statistics go, there’s a 10% chance that you WON’T be in debt at some point in your life. With the cost of living going up, and pay checks remaining the same, it’s hard to live within your means without some kind of outside help (loans, credit cards, etc) or even the ability to just break even. Unless you have a joint budget with your wife/husband/mate, you’re most likely spending more than you’re bringing in. Savings accounts are dwindling and no one is really happy with where they currently are.

I’m a saver, while I do binge on random items, I penny pinch. It’s how I was raised. There’s no point in dropping money on items that you don’t really need. Money earned is meant for bills, food, etc. Sure, sometimes you can find me at either Wal-mart or Kmart looking for clothes but that depends on the status of my closet. I don’t intend to be making any immediate purchases considering I’ve been losing about 5 pounds a week for the last few weeks. My goal is to drop quite a bit and there’s no point in spending money on clothes when I’m going to have to keep buying more.

I like nice things, I won’t deny this. I just don’t see the point in spending money on them when they aren’t really necessary. Yes, I don’t need two computers but when you work online as much as I do, it’s nice to have a bit of variety. I can’t sit at a desk all day, I need to move around. I’ve been on the desktop all night while my laptop takes a break, you can find me on that more than half of the time.

I just think it’s important that people start living within their means, and not depending on the banks/government to pay their way. It’s sickening to me.

I know that I’ve been talking a lot about loans lately but this is based on the fact that while money is coming in fairly well at the moment, it’s all going towards my trip on the 12th. In the long run, however, I don’t ever see myself actually getting a loan. The reason so many people are in debt is because they’re living far beyond their means. Sure, you need to get a mortgage on that house of your dreams, but even if you paid for the house in cash you’d have to pay off a mortgage for a possible tax break in the future.

No matter which route you take, you’re screwed. Secured loans, home improvement loans, re mortgage loans, car loans, personal loans, student loans, and any other financially damaging thing they’d give you a loan for. Everyone is so willing to give you money just so they can beat you senseless with interest rates.

I don’t like the idea of a secured loan. I don’t like that in order to borrow a couple hundred dollars to pay the bills that you have to put your house or your car up as collateral. I’m sorry but anyone stupid enough to take this route deserves to lose their property. If you don’t have enough money to pay your cell phone bill, why not throw out the phone? If you can’t afford your rent because of your location, move to a place that you can. Having a cable internet, HDTV cable and a VOIP phone is a want, not a need.

Anyone can cut corners in order to cut back on their bills, the problem is that no one wants to because they feel they deserve everything that they’re getting. If it’s the choice between feeding your children or getting yourself a new outfit, and you choose the outfit – forget the debt, call CPS.

That’s just my take on it, at least.