Debt Attitudes That Drive You Crazy

**forHISglory** · 06-19-2010, 06:21 PM

I admit it: I hate debt. But whether one is in debt or not, most of us have a philosophy towards debt. Some of those philosophies/attitudes drive me crazy.

For example:
1. Debt is normal.
2. If I don't pay my debt or am late, no big deal. (To me, it's stealing when that happens.)

What drives you crazy about people's debt attitudes?

**mauimagic** · 06-19-2010, 06:48 PM

The ones who file bankruptcy then are not bothered when they pile up all that debt again!!

**stinkbug** · 06-19-2010, 07:53 PM

Oh, man...don't get me started!!!
My number one gripe is people who constnatly cry and complain about being broke, while spending money on stupid, stupid things.
Like wah!!! I can't pay my bills, but I had my nails done today!

**daughter of pearl** · 06-19-2010, 08:00 PM

Yeah, it's the kind of crazy (imho) frivolous spending that is sooooo not needed.

Also people who think debt is just inevitable, the "well ,what can you do?" attitude: YOU COULD GET OUT OF DEBT!!!

**Contrary Housewife** · 06-19-2010, 08:51 PM

"We're not really in debt. That's something that happens to other people."

"With $100,000+ income you can just barely get by in today's economy."

**shortstack** · 06-19-2010, 09:36 PM

The one that drove me the craziest happened the other day...
I was talking to my neighbor and she commented on my blog and how she would love to learn some money saving tricks from me because they are so in debt that she had to pay for her baby's birth on a Medical Credit Card (I had no idea these even existed). Anyway in the next breath she asks me where we are going on vacation and I tell her we are having a staycation this year. She then tells me "I HAVE to go to the beach this year!"
No she does not HAVE to go to the beach, especially if she's that in debt.

**Palooka** · 06-19-2010, 11:04 PM

"Oh well, it's the American way."

**Libby** · 06-20-2010, 12:33 AM

Someone who's drowning in debt, refuses to change their lifestyle to either admit they're in debt or do anything to try to reduce excess spending/debt - when they whine and complain about it and expect a hand out from friends, family AND the gov't.

**nodmicks** · 06-20-2010, 08:52 AM

That debt is normal and everyone has it and there is nothing one can do about it! GRRRR

**frugalfranny** · 06-20-2010, 01:32 PM

Originally Posted by stinkbug

My number one gripe is people who constnatly cry and complain about being broke, while spending money on stupid, stupid things.

Yep...EXACTLY! You described one of my friends to the tee. And when you question her about it......she has some lame excuse!

**Luckybustert** · 06-20-2010, 02:59 PM

The one that drives me nuts is the bit about you HAVE to have debt because having that precious credit rating score is SO IMPORTANT. Not if you're going to get out of debt and stay out of debt, it isn't. That's just a bill of goods we've been sold to keep us borrowing more, in my opinion. (And yes, I know some landlords and employers use credit rating scores to determine whether you're a good risk....let them find another way. What did they do before credit scores were used?)

**forHISglory** · 06-20-2010, 09:34 PM

It gripes me to hear that "I deserve getting this tattoo, having my nails done, going on vacation (fill in the blank; you get the idea) as much as anyone. Just because I'm in debt doesn't mean that I shouldn't get to do this too. It's not fair that I can't get my nails done just because I'm poor."

And maybe it's not for themselves. They use their family as an excuse, as in "Well, I'm not going to tell my daughter that she can't take gymnastics just because we are in debt. She deserves to have it as much as anyone else. "

My philosophy: If I owe someone something, then any money in my purse is not really mine. If I use it for something non-essential, then I am stealing it.

Argh........

**stinkbug** · 06-20-2010, 10:11 PM

I know someone who left for a cruise today. He is not working due to an injury and is getting unemployment. They are living on school loans and food stamps, but *deserve* this cruise for their 10th anniversary. They have three kids who are staying with relatives.

**mndtrp** · 06-20-2010, 11:09 PM

Originally Posted by stinkbug

Oh, man...don't get me started!!!
My number one gripe is people who constnatly cry and complain about being broke, while spending money on stupid, stupid things.
Like wah!!! I can't pay my bills, but I had my nails done today!

This is the main one that irritates me.

**Russ** · 06-21-2010, 07:10 AM

Oh, I'm still young, so it's no big deal.

Or when you tell them about debt control all you hear is, "Yeah, I know."

Well... If you know, why are you piling on more debt?