...you acquired $700,000,000,000 in debt

Well, maybe the House will be their wits about them, since all of them are on the chopping block in a couple of weeks. One can hope.

But our Representatives are doing what they were hired to do, represent. And they know we just love credit. It's so ridiculous, you can even finance your underwear at Victoria's Secret. And you know what her real secret is? She makes more money on finance charges and interest than she does on overpriced underwear. But really, would you buy an $60 bra if you had to hand over 3 Andrew Jackson's for it? (He's the guy on the $20 for those of you who haven't seen actual cash in years) No, it hurts to say good bye to your friends. And when my friend Ben has to go buh bye, it's like a death. Not really, but it HURTS to spend cash, which is why the banks want you not to.

I decided a year ago, hubby before that, that we weren't going to use credit anymore. We have a house loan and a car loan, both taken out years ago before we became wise, but no more credit. We won't be taking out a car loan again, I don't know about the house thing, that's super scary. But we'll have this one paid off before we're 40, after this one, we may just have to rent for awhile. Did you know if you saved your current house payment for 6 years you could have paid cash for your house. It doesn't matter how much your house costs, if you have a $100,000 house and a $900 payment, six years in a good growth stock mutual fund averaging 11% will buy you your house. Better than paying a bank for thirty.

Oh, but I can't afford to save for a house while I'm paying rent. I can't afford underwear. Give me the $700,000,000,000 - just keep the payments low.