Debt Without Dishonor

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I am just pondering the relationship between integrity, that is a personal standard of excellence and commitment to honesty, and prosperity. Just as there are certain mental attitudes that get you caught up in debt (and/or keep you there), there are also things that can keep you out of it.

Debt isn't really dishonorable in this country. At one time, debt was a crime. Some people could not avoid it, but it was not something that was regarded as a viable financial alternative.

Financial integrity means that you can afford what you buy. You buy what you can afford.

It's backward now. Most of us feel far more dishonor in having substandard merchandise or not having the latest toys than we would about being in debt. Maybe because debt is more hidden--it's easy to keep it under wraps.

I don't actually consider debt dishonorable, but I do think of it as dangerous. It scares me a little to use a credit card, even when there's nothing on it and I know have the cash to pay the bill when it comes in. It's not a paralyzing fear or even an illogical one. It's a respect for the fact that I'm entering into an agreement (however short term) with a credit card company that holds me to certain standards.

When you think of debt like that, it's hard to get in too deep.