So many people today are looking for something. Something new, something better, something more. The problem isn't the looking or the wanting. It's the spending.

So much of the way we live is based on wanting something new or better or larger. The nice, leather furniture, manicured lawn, new cars, boat, two car garage, need to be better than the neighbors and need to fit in with an upper class are hiding the credit cards, auto loans, mortgage, rent-to-own bill and insecurity.

The sad truth of the matter is that none of the things are ours. If it isn't paid for it doesn't belong to you. It's just all appearances. The focus on those appearances often means that things aren't truly enjoyed or appreciated. And the focus can quickly get you into debt problems. You wanted to be like your neighbors.

Everywhere we turn we are encouraged to borrow money. If you can't pay for it now, pay for it later. For example, have you shopped in your local home store lately. Chances are if you have, you've been told if you spend so much on a major appliance, you will get it interest free for one year on a store card. Every time I go into Old Navy or Gap, they ask if I have a store card. I could save 10% on my first purchase.

The sad thing is that not only are those who can't really afford what they are buying sucked in, but so are those that have the money they can just pay for it. Then they forget to pay it off and end up paying a really high interest rate later down the road. Society just seems to want us to charge things.

I hear that everyone has debt so you shouldn't worry about it. Everyone is struggling with it. You couldn't afford to live without it.

But if you can't afford to live without it, how can you afford to live with it? If you don't have the money to cover your basic expenses, you are loosing ground. And debt is like quicksand.

If you aren't living within your means, you can. Simply make up your mind to quit credit cold turkey. Take those cards and put them in a safety deposit bank in a town at least 30 miles from you. Then you only drive to get them in an emergency.

Work on the basics first. What do you really need? Shelter, food, clothes, transportation and communication. So cut your budget down to only include the housing expenses, food, clothes (this is the washing, not going shopping every day), your frugal car and telephone. You don't need shopping, eating out or a cellphone for every member of your family.

Take the time now to say you won't buy unless you need something. Use all of what you have before you replace it. Learn that what you have is good enough.

Make a budget. Stick with it. Believe me, once you are out of debt and not obligated to anyone, you will feel like the freest person in the world. Debt doesn't give you anything but temporary satisfaction. You get stress and pay more in the long run. Make a decision to spend less than you make, not more.