[Marilyn]

I hate the idea of a bail out, but it seems from what I'm hearing to be necessary.

We were truly blessed that I was raised by parents who believe in never buying anything on credit. I do remember that one time they bought a car and went to the bank to borrow money for a couple of months until they had the funds to pay it off. We sat outside the bank for a long time while they discussed it because it was so against their philosophy. They did get the loan, but I think they paid it off in two months.

Hubby and I have used credit, and our home is currently mortgaged, but the outstanding balance is less than the 3rd of the value of the home, and our mortgage is 4.2% 15 year fixed.

We were very poor the first 5 years of our marriage. As Dave Ramsey would say, we lived like no one else, so we could live like no one else. Our first home was bought with cash, but we built it ourselves. It took us 3 years and we paid as we went, but after living in it for 3 years, it sold for twice what we had paid for it. That's what gave us our start. That and education. I went to a local university and scrimped to pay cash for my education. I don't have a degree from a prestegous university, but I make as much or more that others I know who have that big name degree, and we had no student loans.

I'm not trying to brag at all. We are pleased with the way our lives and finances have turned out, but it was all due to being taught to conserve funds and not buy more than you can afford. We try very hard to counsel young people to not go into debt. Just hope we can make a difference in some of their lives.

Credit used to be hard to come by. It should return to being that way again!!!