Hi,
My first post here; I don't go into debt anymore. There is never any good reason for it that I can see unless someone I love were to need life saving treatments...
It's not normal in society to avoid debt. My username is ramseyman because it was he (Dave Ramsey) and his 7 baby steps that "gave me permission" to not go into debt ever again. This is such a peace bringing freedom! It simplifies your life decisions immensely, ie "should I buy this car?" becomes "do I have the funds for this car and is this where I want my funds to go?" or you could name just about any financial decision in life from higher education to home buying/renovating or even an expensive wedding. Living frugally to save the funds for your specific needs/wants prioritizes where the money will go thus saving a lot of wasted funds. ie. that expensive nowhere degree that seemed like an interesting way to spend four years of your life.
My journey has been through a number of income streams including those of my wife that were interrupted by a number of health issues which inevitably led to more debt and less peace. The happy circumstances that led us out of debt coincided with my discovery of debt free living principles so that I have become content to live a simpler life (no cottage at the lake, speed boat, four wheeler, sports car, motorcycle etc). I don't condemn those who can afford those things but many have what they cannot afford and lack peace because of it.
I want to encourage anyone who reads this post that may be experiencing the crushing weight of debt to take heart and know that you have "permission" to be "not normal" and refuse to be a debt slave anymore. This begins when you make the decision to stop building anymore debt, cut up the cards etc, and begin paying down the debt. Start by building up a small emergency fund of a thousand dollars before you destroy the cards, then when something comes up you can be your own line of credit. I could go on but I want this to be short so people will read it lol.
Peace to all,
ramseyman