-It seems the worst crime you can commit in this country is being poor.

I've found it's almost the best way to pay for a higher education. All the aid is based on that.

Just be poor....or really rich. In between is hard.

Okay....I'm being a little sarcastic but after the taxes I've paid while paying for a private school education and college for 3 kids...still working on the youngest one.

It adds up. Not calling it "theft" but it sure feels like it at times.

Cash is king.

-It doesn't matter how close to a big city you are. If you're in the county as opposed to a Town or City, you're on your own.

I grew up in rural Kansas. For my entire childhood, our address was "rural route 2" until my folks moved into a town with an actual street address.

What do you mean by "on your own"?

-Having said that I'm not sure I could have done that if I was starting out in today's economy.

I agree that today's economy presents unique challenges to youngsters.

But the steps to avoid the pitfalls of debt are the same steps you took (live within my means...say no to a few trips..)

It's a huge challenge but the choices (good and bad) are still the same.

-You think people in this economy who are struggling or doing so because they're taking too many vacations??

no. That's not what I said.

-How does one "live within their means" when they're not being paid a living wage?

I don't have an answer on how to get poor people to stop being poor.

I simply said the steps to avoid unnecessary debt are the same as they were.

The challenges are real, no doubt and are increasing all the time.

I have 25 and 23 year old daughters living in 2 of the biggest cities in the US. They're managing professional jobs and paying rent and all their expenses.

You want to ask them your stupid questions?