$HIT

I have several friends who are in severe debt.  I’m not talking about the good kind of debt (mortgage, student loans).  It’s the kind of debt that’s accruing 20-35%+ interest.  Maybe it’s even compounded.  Honestly, I have absolutely no idea because never in my life have I carried a balance on any of my credit cards.  Never ever.  It was one of my mom’s facts of life.

I truly feel bad for the financially-challenged because they didn’t grow up with a penny-pinching immigrant mom.  It’s not their fault that no one taught them how to manage money.  There aren’t Budget 101 classes in high school or college.  No wonder our society is in major financial distress.

But one of my friends chooses to ignore his debt.  Pretends it doesn’t exist.  “I haven’t gotten any bonuses so I really don’t have the money to pay it off.”

“Buddy, you don’t have to pay it off in one whole swoop!  A little at a time.  A penny here, a hundred dollars there.”

“Yeah, I”ll get to it when I get to it.”

Ummm, do you ignore a disease and pretend it’s going to go away on it’s own?  Have you no common sense?  I pleaded, “Do you realize how much you’re hurting yourself with all that built up interest?  It’s like having herpes.  Even though the blisters aren’t manifesting themselves at this point in time, the debt collectors are going to fester on your ass any day now!  Shit, buddy!”