Debt is not a Tool

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Every now and then I am in the car when Dave Ramsey is on the air. Love his practical no-nonsense advice to folks who call his radio show asking for help to get out of debt.. A while back he shared "7 Characteristics of Debt-Free People" on his blog. I thought that I'd share a few nuggets from it here ...

• Impulsive, impatient purchases are debt’s best friend.
• People who decide to ditch debt for good realize that debt isn’t a tool.
• People who are getting out of debt don’t care what others think.
• You know you’re on the right track when your broke friends are making fun of you.
• Materialism can affect any of us—rich or poor.
• Becoming debt-free isn’t about stocking a garage full of cars.
• At some point, people who become debt-free decide that enough is enough.

I can relate to many of these things. I have often said that I have learned to be patient, wait out purchases and buy things when they are no longer cool. I have almost always bought used cars. That said, I do think that most Americans, including me, fight materialism and the desire to buy things - and often things that they cannot afford.

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