America, that used to derive strong family values and incomes with savings and paying 'as you go', has moved to a more consumptive society financed by ever increasing liens on future income - - with debt ratios reaching new records. 
America has become less a family-based, frugal society of strong real savings and small government. It has become a more consumptive, more debt-dependent with nil private savings, and more a government spending-dependent society - - depending more on the production and savings of others (including foreigners), and on debt, than ever before - - quite different from that envisioned by its founding forefathers. In the long-term there are consequences to be paid for excess debt reliance, in addition to sucking more mothers into the work force and away from their children. 
No generation has a right to contract debts 
greater than can be paid off during the course of its own existence."
- George Washington to James Madison 1789 
Auto loans > In addition to soaring home equity mortgages which consume owner stakes in their homes, according to USA Today (2/16/04) the average automobile loan today is for 63 months, with some going as high as 84 months, compared with an average of less than 48 months five years ago - - and about 24 months in the 1950s.
Credit Cards >The same firm in 2004 said, "About 51 million households carry credit-card debt at an average balance of nearly $12,000." that totals $612 billion in total debt for those households
Student Loans > October 2007. The average debt load for graduate students in all fields nationwide ballooned by 150 percent to $37,600 
CREDIT CARD MATH-(based on a $5000 balance)
c	Interest
Rate	Minimum
%Payment	Total
Interest Cost	Years
to Payoff	
A	13.5	1.667	$9,538	41	
B	15.9	2.000	$9,159	35	
C	19.8	3.000	$5,858	21	

The bible contains about 500 verses on prayer and a little less than 500 verses on faith, yet over 2,350 verses that address in very practical, specific ways how to earn, save, spend, invest and give money. Two-thirds of the parables deal with money. The Bible has more to say about money than heaven and hell combined, even more to say about money than salvation. The Bible has more to say about money than any other subject except love. 
Biblical financial principles applied yesterday, they apply today, and they will apply tomorrow. His principles apply if you have a little or a lot, if you are single or married, if you are young or young-at-heart. 
Step One: Learn to write down your budget plans
Step Two: Identify your needs, wants and desires
most of us have a requirement for transportation--we need some way to get around. Most of the time this transportation requirement is met in the form of a car. A “needs” level car could be a 1985 VW bug with faded red paint and torn upholstery for about $700. A car at the “wants” level could be a 1990 Chevy for about $3500--bigger, more room, air conditioning, etc. But if money were no object, we might fulfill the transportation requirement at the “desires” level with a new $125,000 Mercedes-Benz.
You should consider your needs, wants and desires for every budget category. Are you operating at the needs level in one or more areas?
Perhaps God is providing the resources to live at the wants level. If so, and the resources are available to stay at this level, great.
Sometimes, after all your obligations have been met, you can use some of your surplus funds to reach for some of your desires. Many times God will give you the desires of your heart.
Most of us try to get out of debt while we try to maintain the same self-indulgent lifestyle that got us into debt in the first place. Then we wonder why we fail.
Step 3: Think Before You Buy. 
Pay only with cash or check. Stop using your credit cards. Try this for one month. You will find you think and plan more--much more. Plus, at the end of the month you will find you will have spent far less than normal for the “normal” things of life. (Credit card companies have statistics to show that you will “normally” spend 34% more if you use credit as compared to cash.) 
Does it reflect your Christian ethics? For example, what magazines, TV, radio, INTERNET, etc., do you allow into your home? Do you even know what is in your home?
• Is this the very best possible price you can get? Are you buying on impulse
Is it a highly depreciative itemCan you rent or borrow rather than buy? You don’t have to own all that you use or enjoy.
• And finally, does it bring you closer to God? I love to hunt and fish. I know a lot of great fishermen. Most of them try to convince me fish always bite better…on Sunday mornings.
the final two steps of our Debt Free Living God’s Way Action Plan: Avoid Leverage and Practice Saving.
The sad truth is that most Americans have been conditioned to believe that debt is a normal part of life. Since the late 1960's (when the credit card was introduced), DEBT has become a product that has been aggressively marketed. Millions of Americans surrender daily to the bait laid in the trap by marketing professionals whose #1 goal is to make you feel good about becoming a slave to debt. For example, most Americans today feel that the only way to purchase an automobile is with debt (payments). The question asked today is not, "Can I buy the item?" but rather, "Can I make the payments?".
Statistics tell us that the average American is spending 10% more than they make each month. With 70% of all Americans living paycheck to paycheck, it is only a matter of time until their debt becomes unmanageable. This voluntary financial demise that results in the lives of those who choose to live beyond their means has resulted in the skyrocketing increases in filings for personal bankruptcy

Destroy all credit card accounts with balances and STOP trying to borrow your way out of debt. Once the account balance reaches "$0", at that time, either close the account or if you have other credit card balances, you can negotiate a low interest balance transfer to that account. This technique will allow you to reduce an existing high interest rate credit card debt without initiating credit inquiries or acquiring additional credit cards. 
List all of your creditors and the balances you owe them starting with the lowest balance at the top of the page and the minimum payment required by each creditor to keep the account current (Form 5). 
Attempt to reduce high interest rates by rolling existing balances to lower rate offerings (check your mailbox for the best offers). Call your existing creditors and attempt to negotiate a lower rate (see item #1 above). A report by the Massachusetts Public Interest Research Group found that over half of customers who complained to card issuers about their high rates got them reduced by about one-third. 
Put together a bare bones monthly budget plan listing only the total minimum payments required for all of your debts on the line for debts (see BUDGET). The main purpose for the budget is to protect your savings. 
Follow the 5 step plan for "What to do with my savings" (see SAVING). 
Sell any items around the house that are collecting dust that can be used to help speed up the process (boats, campers, guns, motorcycles, etc.). Pick up more hours at work. Get a temporary part-time job. 
If you are married, hug your wife/husband and tell her/him that you love them and that together you are going to walk out of the mess that either you created or that has come your way as a result of circumstances that were beyond your control. 
Pray and ask God for grace and wisdom as you put together a recovery plan and begin the journey towards a great future that awaits you! 
Provide for your family FIRST and then pay your creditors. 
Don't let anyone take your HOPE away, this too shall pass (Proverb 13:12)! 
There are 7,000 institutions issuing credit cards (Visa, MasterCard) in the United States, 30,000 different credit card programs (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express and Diners Club), 200 million new credit cards issued in 2000 with an average charge per transaction (Visa, MasterCard) of approximately $70.00. 
Did you know that making the minimum payments on a $3,000 balance carrying an 18% APR will take 431 months (almost 36 years) to pay off and cost you $7,511.74 in interest? WOW! That is what I call prison! And just think, you did it voluntarily! 
There are several creative schemes that have been devised to help you turn your equity into debt. One such way is a credit card that is tied to the equity in your house. As you use the credit card, the debts are paid with your home equity (until it is gone). Another program I have seen allows the home owner to use their equity to purchase an automobile (see AUTO). There is nothing like taking money that is appreciating and purchasing something that goes down in value like a rock. You might ask, "What have I got to lose?" You could lose your house! 
The bait used to attract many people into the home equity trap is that the debt is tax deductible. As it was discussed in the section on HOUSE, the deduction only applies to the interest portion of the loan and does not justify the cost of the debt. These type of loans have high interest rates that normally float (fluctuate with the economy).
One of the best ways to lose a friend or strain a relationship is to borrow money from a friend or family member. You would be better off just giving the money to the friend or family member. 
When it comes to co-signing on a loan with a friend or family member, NEVER do it! When you co-sign with someone you are in effect borrowing the money. If your friend or family member defaults on the loan, you are 100% liable. This has the potential of destroying the relationship (Proverb 17:18; 22:26)
Lenders who market debt consolidation loans normally pay all of your bills off and then let you pay them, plus a fee. This method might decrease the number of checks you write monthly but will in most cases increase the number of months you write the checks. The bait used for this type of loan is "one easy payment"! Debt consolidation does not eliminate the debt, it merely juggles it around. This method of getting out of debt should not be used (even if it is at a lower interest rate) until the spending problem is corrected. (see WARNING about credit-counseling agencies)
Opt Out 1-888-5-opt out (67-8688)
Many of the unsolicited mailings you receive can be stopped by simply making a 3 minute phone call. Your name is often obtained from the records that are kept by one of top four (3 major companies listed above) credit reporting agencies. By making one phone call you can have your name removed for 2 years, permanently remove, or you can have your name listed after having been removed. 

"Do Not Call" Registry 
The greatest practical gift you could ever give your children is a solid understanding of money management principles. Surveys show that more than one-third of kids ages 12 to 17 still use a piggy bank to save money. And more than half have received no financial education at all. Understanding the value of a dollar, the magic of compounding, and the dangers of borrowing money to buy things that go down in value are some of the key principles that will help your children build a solid financial future. The three critical areas that must be instilled in children in the area of money management are: 
•	God owns it all (see GIVING) 
•	Self discipline and moderation (see SAVING) 
•	Everyone needs a budget (see BUDGET) 
Below is a list of topics by age groups to consider when teaching your children about money. There are many different ways to work these topics into the daily lives of your children. The key is to be flexible yet proactive. You will find that as you teach your children about money, they will become an excellent way to keep you accountable to them for the decisions you make concerning your money. 
During the ages of 1-10 the basic attitudes are being formed that begin to mold the child's character. The mid years of 11-16, the previous years of conditioning start to show up in the child's convictions. The last years of 17-21 are the years of reality training. 
AGES 1-10	AGES 11-16	AGES 17-21	
Ownership/Stewardship	Budgeting	Credit & Debt	
Orderliness/Excellence	Spending/Saving	Work/Vocation	
Relative Value	Compounding	Autos	
Sharing/Giving	Taxes	Insurance	
Responsibility/Reward	Smart Shopping	Mortgages	
Intro. To Budgeting	Checkbook	Investing	
•	Should I give my child an allowance? 
The main purpose for an allowance is to allow a child to learn how to manage money. Children need to learn how to give, save, and spend. These lessons are best taught when a child must do this with money they call their own. I prefer not to give children an allowance but rather rewards for assigned task. However, if an allowance is given, it should be given only when the child has accomplished required daily chores on a regular basis. Giving a child a set allowance weekly or monthly without a requirement to accomplish task or jobs is nothing more than welfare. This welfare mentality encourages a poor work ethic and defeats your efforts to teach the important lesson of the value of a dollar. 
•	Should I pay my child for good grades in school? 
Although a child's primary work responsibility is his/her school work, paying them for good grades can create a negative reward system. Grades are a measurement of relative performance in the classroom. If you decide to pay your child a set amount for every "A" they make on their report card, yet they bring home all "Bs", the child senses failure. If your child did their personal best in every way and was unable to make an "A", was it failure? No! 
Students should be encourage to perform at their personal best. Regardless of the grade, when a child performs at their personal best, they should be praised. Rewarding for grades can create motivations in the child to find ways to make a grade rather than learn the material and develop good study habits. Some children might even be tempted to cheat in order to obtain the reward. This can result in the development of a multiplicity of negative character traits that can carry over into other areas of life.
Parents should monitor and assist in the development of good study habits in your children. Teaching organization skills and time management are key to being successful in academic endeavors beyond the high school level. The parent should also hold your child's teachers accountable for their actions in the classroom. In both public and private school systems, the teachers are your employees. You pay their salaries and expect them to manage the classroom in a fair and equitable manor. In our competitive society, grades (especially 9th thru 12th) are important when it comes to acceptance into colleges and universities.
•	Should my child get a job? 
At an early age, children should start learning the value of money. This is best done when they accomplish task in return for rewards. During their early years, value can be taught with relatively simple task and small rewards. As they grow older the jobs should become more demanding and the rewards larger. 
With the abundance of domestic task available in most families, working outside of the home is not always necessary. However, children need to also have domestic responsibilities (chores) that are unpaid. For example, a child might be assigned to keep their room clean and made up daily. They might also take the trash out, care for a pet, do the laundry or help with kitchen duties during meal times. Then for extra paying jobs, they might clean out the garage or attic, wash cars or do lawn work. They might also offer to wash neighbors cars, do lawn work or baby sit. 
Working outside of the home such as in a retail store creates other opportunities and concerns. Deciding to allow your children to become a part of the part time work force should not be made without first evaluating the time commitment, working environment and the particular needs of the young person. For example, a part time summer job might be a great opportunity for a young person to learn about discipline and respect for authority as an employee. 
The goal is to use any working situation as a means to an end. The end goal is to teach and train your children to become wise and responsible money managers. The value of any job is not found in the money the child makes but the life lessons that are learned and that can be transferred into adult life. 
•	Should I buy my child a car when they get their driver's license? 
Most young people in their teens wait anxiously for that special birthday when they turn sixteen (some states may have a different age limit to obtain a drivers license). It's a time of increased mobility, freedom and from a parental perspective, responsibility. But is it a time for parents to present their young teens with the keys to their very own auto?
In a majority of American middle to upper class families, an auto is standard issue with each new driver's license. I believe the problem exist not with the fact that an additional auto is added to the family fleet but the issue of ownership. When children are unemployed, they are unable to "own" items that require money to operate and maintain. When a child is conditioned to believe that a particular auto is "theirs" yet they have no financial obligations (maintenance, gas, insurance, etc.), they lose the proper perspective of the value of a dollar. The time is limited for parents to teach their children the value of money. Every opportunity available needs to be used to help equip our children so that they become fiscally responsible adults. 
The child may use a particular car from the family fleet more than another but needs to know that all of the cars belong to the parent. It might even be a good idea to insure that your young driver drives all of the family cars periodically to discourage the concept of ownership. When a child is given ownership to an expensive item such as an auto without the financial responsible, it becomes increasingly difficult for them to identify with the reality associated with auto ownership.
•	How do I help my child prepare for the future?
I call it "reality training". Our children grow up in a bubble of isolation and security. One day that bubble is going to pop and they will be forced to meet reality head on. How can you as the parent help them prepare for the transition?
Think of your children as young adults in training. Our goal as parents should be to equip our children for the future in every way possible so as to help insure that they will have the best possible opportunity to live life skillfully and with much success. Many times we find that we have limitations as to the depth that we can help our children. Parents may not always have all of the answers but should be resourceful enough to be able to find someone that can help. The key is to be proactive even though at times it feels as though you are trying to put a square peg in a round hole.
The options for young people today are endless. Educational opportunities exist for those who diligently pursue them regardless of family income limitations. The problem facing most young people is two fold. First, their world is filled with an endless supply of distractions from reality and secondly, most parents are so busy in their own lives that they normally don't have time (or make the time) to provide the necessary coaching required to help their children focus on future professional dreams and opportunities. This is why many children default to following in their parents footsteps or opt for the first thing that comes along in the way of employment.
The following are few suggestions that can be used to help you coach and mentor your children as they seek to find a vocation and future that is best suited for them:
•	Be a good example (mentor) to your children in regard to the way you manage your money and finances.
•	Constantly encourage your children that they can do anything they want if they prepare themselves and remain focused.
•	Encourage your children to maximize their potential by seeking to perform at their personal best in all of their endeavor.
•	Talk openly and frequently about money around your children (what things cost, how much it takes to live certain lifestyles, what different career fields pay, etc.)
•	Help them discover their interest by focusing on things they enjoy or do well (math, science, computers, creative, leadership, etc.)
•	Make sure they understand the difference between an area of interest that is suitable only as a hobby and one that can provide a foundation for a career.
•	Expose them to as many people and environments as possible in areas that they show interest. Take mini field trips or ask a friend in their area of interest to talk with them or show them their work up close.
•	Use the abundance of free material on the internet to research areas of interest, career opportunities, salary levels (entry level and career maximums), educational requirements, etc. (see Children Links - Occupational Outlook Handbook)
•	Assure them that God has "wired" them in a very special way. Their task (with your coaching) is to find the perfect place that best utilizes their gifts, talents and interest.
3 Ways To Give Your Money	
•	Tithe and Offerings (Proverb 3:9; Malachi 3:8)
Giving the tithe acknowledges God's ownership 
•	Surplus (2 Corinthians 9:6,7)
The surplus can only be identified with a budget 
•	Sacrifice (Mark 12:42-44)
Sacrificial giving requires that you deny yourself 
All giving should be done as God leads rather than from guilt. Giving starts when you accept your position as a steward and acknowledge God as The Owner. This releases His blessings into your life. The next step is to become a wise manager and position yourself to be able to identify the surplus (see BUDGET). Giving sacrificially can then occur if God so leads.
What about the tithe?
More Americans claim to tithe than actually do: 17% of adults claim to tithe while 6% actually did in 2000 and 8% did in 2001. The proportion of tithers is higher among born again Christians (14% tithed) than among non-born again adults (5%). Source: Barna Research LTD.
The following is a response to the issue on tithing and Biblical giving in general by John MacArthur, founder of the Bible-teaching media ministry, "Grace to You". (www.gty.org)
"Two kinds of giving are taught consistently throughout Scripture: giving to the government (always compulsory), and giving to God (always voluntary). 
The issue has been greatly confused, however, by some who misunderstand the nature of the Old Testament tithes. Tithes were not primarily gifts to God, but taxes for funding the national budget in Israel . 
Because Israel was a theocracy, the Levitical priests acted as the civil government. So the Levite's tithe (Leviticus 27:30-33) was a precursor to today's income tax, as was a second annual tithe required by God to fund a national festival (Deuteronomy 14:22-29). Smaller taxes were also imposed on the people by the law (Leviticus 19:9-10; Exodus 23:10 -11). So the total giving required of the Israelites was not 10 percent, but well over 20 percent. All that money was used to operate the nation. 
All giving apart from that required to run the government was purely voluntary (cf. Exodus 25:2; 1 Chronicles 29:9). Each person gave whatever was in his heart to give; no percentage or amount was specified. 
New Testament believers are never commanded to tithe. Matthew 22:15-22 and Romans 13:1-7 tell us about the only required giving in the church age, which is the paying of taxes to the government. Interestingly enough, we in America presently pay between 20 and 30 percent of our income to the government--a figure very similar to the requirement under the theocracy of Israel. 
The guideline for our giving to God and His work is found in 2 Corinthians 9:6-7: "Now this I say, he who sows sparingly shall also reap sparingly; and he who sows bountifully shall also reap bountifully. Let each one do just as he has purposed in his heart; not grudgingly or under compulsion; for God loves a cheerful giver." 
Many churches have periodic programs that are designed to get their congregations to make promises to give above and beyond for a period of time. It might be for a special annual mission offering pledge or as a result of a building program that resulted in excessive debt. The emotional charge from the pastor is usually Biblically based yet normally aimed at the emotions of the congregation in hopes of creating a feeling of guilt. In the case of a prospective building program, it is not uncommon for a church to hire professionals to survey the financial capability of the congregation based on the type of jobs, homes, cars and lifestyles to determine what can be expected. Church building programs are often marketed and sold to a congregation by professionals no differently than any other consumer goods. 
Is God honored when a church is built in His name when the people that are building it are doing so while living lives in contrast to His principles. For example, should a Christian pledge to give thousands of dollars to a building program when their personal finances are in shambles. If 70% of all Americans are living paycheck to paycheck with consumer debt exceeding half of their annual incomes, should they agree to take on their fair share of the debt of a new multi-million dollar building program? Should those in leadership positions in the churches across America encourage their members to give beyond the tithe when they know the sick financial state of their congregations and possibly their own lives? 
It is my belief that it would be much more effective (especially long-term) to address the source of the problem that is to blame for the poor stewardship rather than attempting to find ways to get the congregation to give sacrificially. The source of the problem is the attitude of the person. When a Christian finally accepts the concept of ownership/stewardship, he or she will then be able to experience the unlimited financial capabilities of God. 
If God does truly "Own It All" as the Bible teaches, then the focus of the church should be on getting the congregation to seek God and get their financial house in order BEFORE they are asked to open their checkbooks. 
When asked to give to a special program from faith, it should not mean that you make a pledge and hope that God will honor it but that you seek God before you pledge and then wait for God to meet that pledge. This is called a "conditional vow". Our prayer should be, "Oh God, if you would so allow, let me be a vessel and give to this cause." Instead, the prayer is often, "God, I am going to give $xxxxx in faith, please bless my offering."
Let me give you a personal example. We were once members of a church that was asking the membership to make a three year pledge towards a multi-million dollar building program. As a steward, I knew that all I had and could possibly give was dependant on God. Believing that God did "Own It All", I knew that my job was to ask God what amount He would allow me to give. 
Knowing that I was merely a channel or vessel, I began to ask, "Why can't God just give the entire amount needed for the building program through me?" After I thought about it, I realized that the barrier would not be God but rather my ability to let such a large amount of money pass through my hands. I decided to make a pledge that would allow God to use me to the limits that He knew I was capable ("according to each ability"). I made a pledge that was within my budget and in addition a "conditional vow" that stated that I would give one-half of any increase in my income toward this project. My commitment was to continue this pledge until I reached what at that time seemed to me to be a very large amount of money or until the three years had ended, whichever came first. 
I then waited and watched to see how God might use me. Events and circumstances during the next twelve months allowed me the opportunity to understand more clearly the meaning of the phrase "God Owns It All". The figure that I had pledged to give over the next three years was met in less than twelve months. God proved himself to me to be a God with limitless resources. This was obviously a faith building experience that has allowed me to expand in my giving over time.
The main problem in our society today that prohibits most Christians from being able or willing to hear God in the area of giving is the result of their own poor money management practices. It all starts with the commitment to start taking small steps towards getting your financial house in order. All giving is a blessing. Just as a little child gets excited when his or her parent lets them put the money in the offering plate, so should we be excited when God allows us the privilege and the blessings that follow as a result of doing the same with His money (2 Corinthians 9:6,7).
"If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon (money), who will commit to your trust the true riches?" Matthew 16:11
Financial

Most Americans (70%) earn less than $50,000 per year. However, taking into consideration dual income families, the average household income is much higher than $50,000. The $50,000 to $100,000 income range consist of 25% of American households while 5% earn more than $100,000 per year. Of the 105 million households in America, only 4 million households (approx. 4%) have accumulated a net worth of $1 million or more even though 30% of all Americans earn more than $50,000 per year. 
What is the makeup of the 4 million households that call themselves "millionaires". The average taxable income is $131,000. Of course, income is only taxed when it is realized. Tax deferred investments are a high priority for those who desire to increase their wealth. Surprisingly, 80% of those in the millionaire status are first generation and in 70% of the households, the male contributes 80% of the income. Almost all millionaires are married (95%) and 1/2 of the wives do not work outside of the home. The number one job of wives in millionaire households is a teacher. Half of all millionaires (50%) have lived in the same home for more than 20 years. Less than 25% drive current year model cars and only a small minority ever lease autos. (see Book List - The Millionaire Next Door)
The follow list of statistics makes it clear why so few Americans are millionaires and the great need there is in our country to become better money managers: (see In The News)
•	70% are living paycheck to paycheck (Source: Wall Street Journal) 
•	Less than 30% use a written monthly budget to manage household finances/ 
•	Average American spends $1.22 for every dollar they earn. (Myvesta.org, Inc 
•	95% argue about money related topics on a regular basis 
•	Credit Card Debt results in deaths...(Fox News, 5/13/02) 
•	55% always or sometimes worry about money (Source: Marist Institute poll published in USA Today) 
•	Personal saving rate in America is 3.6%, down from 8.7% in 2000. (8/31/02) (Ned Davis Research, Inc.) 
•	62% of all American H.H. don't save or don't save regularly (Source: data from the Federal Reserve Board's Survey of Consumer Finances dating from 1998. Data released 5/13/02 in an article "New Report Finds One-Quarter Of U.S. Households Are Wealth-Poor". 
•	Household net worth is less than $15,000 (excluding equity in house) (Source: "The Millionaire Next Door," pg. 2) 
•	Typical non-mortgage household debt is $38,000 or more 
•	185 mil. Americans (population of 282 million) have at least one credit card with the average number of cards per person at 6.5. (Source: www.cardweb.com) 
•	84 mil. households (total of 105 million) have at least one credit card with the average number of cards per H.H. at 14.3. (Source: www.cardweb.com) 
•	Average balance per H.H. (with at least one credit card) is $8,562. (Source: www.cardweb.com) 
•	95% finance one or more autos at an average of $375/mo. for 60 months 
•	Household debt as % of disposable income exceeds 100% (Source: Federal Reserve) 
•	Personal debt as a % of net worth is 27.2% (6/30/02) (Ned Davis Research, Inc.) 
•	Mortgage debt as a % of personal income is 87.54%; Consumer Credit as a % of personal income is 19.22%; Total debt as a % of personal income is 106.76%. (9/30/02) (Ned Davis Research, Inc.) 
•	Less than 10% have computed a target goal for retirement 
•	Only 44% of Americans are preparing for retirement 
•	62% will retire with less than $10,000 income per year (Source: U.S. Census Bureau) 
•	75% do not have a legal will or trust 
•	Only 28% of people with insurance (life, auto, home, health or disability) really understood the details of their coverage-according to NAIC. (Source: The Washington Post - 3/13/03) 
•	5 billion credit card solicitations were mailed out in 2001 (average 20 solicitations for every adult and child in the U.S.), up from 3.5 billion in 2000 
•	Average U.S. family took on more than $1,400 in new debt during the first six months since the recession began in 3/01 - according to The Wall Street Journal. 
•	2001 median incomes: all families = $39,900; top 10% = $169,600 
•	2001 net worth: all families = $120,000 (whites); top 10% = $833,600
Source - Federal Reserve Consumer Finances Report 
40,000 Americans polled by Newsweek Magazine responded: 
•	Happy if the lights are on and the frig is full - 5% 
•	I am really worried about my finances - 11% 
•	I can make ends meet but I am still worried - 17% 
•	I'm ok day-to-day but I wake up sweating about retirement - 10% 
•	I've started to invest for the future but worry it won't be enough - 25% 
Personal Bankruptcy Rates:
(Source: Administrative Office of U.S. Courts) 
•	1998 - 1.39 million 
•	1999 - 1.28 million 
•	2000 - 1.21 million 
•	2001 - 1.45 million 
•	2002 - 773,740 (January - June) On track for 6.5% increase over 2001
(see more on bankruptcy at The American Bankruptcy Institute) 
HOT...HOT...HOT...The economic fallout from the recent recession continues to flood the bankruptcy courts. During the first three months of 2002, 379,012 bankruptcy petitions were filed, the highest number of cases ever filed in any first calendar quarter. Source: Cardweb.com, 5/20/02 
AVERAGE ANNUAL DEBT DISCHARGED: $46 BILLION 
Spiritual

Surveys indicate that 91% of Americans own a Bible and 85% consider themselves to be Christians but only 40% say they are born again. More than half (56%) believe that their entrance into Heaven will be decided based on their behavior (good works) during their life. Although 80% believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God, 61% believe the Holy Spirit is not real. Of those Americans that say they attend church weekly (40%), 17% say they tithe (give 10%) while only 3% actually do. Charitable giving of any amount is only done by 40% or less of all American households.
Financial