Dealing with Thingitis

Debt is quickly becoming an epidemic in America. However, through the past 50 years, America has not seen such large domestic growth. Its citizens have higher salaries now than their predecessors, yet personal debt continues to rise.

Why is this happening? I believe that the number one reason of increasing personal debt is a disease that I call thingitis.

What is Thingitis?

It is a disease characterized by the insatiable appetite of the common citizen to have more and more things in their home. As a recent newlywed, Iâ??ve seen this disease first hand with my loving wife. No matter how many picture frames, candle holders, and kitchen appliances that we received as gifts during our reception, my wife will continue to bring home more.

Thingitis is this constant craving for more. More clothes, larger cars, larger homes, bigger tvs. The effects of the disease are easily seen in the bank statements. With the larger homes comes the larger mortgages, and with the bigger tvs come the larger credit lines.

Why do people develop thingitis? I believe that people develop this disease because of a general decrease in the appreciation of the things that they already have. Simply wanting something to own it has become a sufficient reason to purchase items now. It doesnâ??t matter if it wonâ??t be used but once a year, if that much. The pure ownership of the item has its one intrinsic value that is worth the ever increasing debt.

Unfortunately, thingitis is also incredibly contagious. This is â??keeping up with the jonesesâ??. As prideful citizens, our own self-worth decreases on the accomplishments of others. We also want what is best for our own children. If our neighbor sends their children to private schools, we feel an urging to send our children to private schools. Our children deserve everything that our neighborâ??s children have, right? What most people fail to realize is that their neighbors most likely have large credit debts that we wouldnâ??t wish upon ourselves for the world.

I believe that the cure for thingitis is two-fold. First, we make a list of things that we need and want. Every item in the want list needs to be evaluated on a scale of 1 to 10 on how valuable it is, how many people it benefits, and how often it would be used. Items can be added to this list only 4 times a year. This way, whims are eliminated. Second, you need to clean out your garage, closets, and underneath your beds. The shear amount of things that you will find will disgust you! I have found no quicker way to eliminate my material cravings than cleaning through what I already have.

Finally, you can be able to overcome your thingitis by reading about the experiences of others. InDebtRelief.com has articles and a forum where users can not only tell of their own experiences about debt relief, but read about the first hand experiences of others.

Dan Goggins is an entrepreneur who is interested in real estate, computer programming, and family life. You can read about his experiences and advice at his website.

---

How to Get Triple A Credit in 25 Days

Good credit is everyone's dream. A wise use of credit... Read More

Debt Elimination Is The Key to Financial Freedom

If you want financial freedom, the first thing that you... Read More

Debt Getting You Down? - Make a List!

Debt is not much fun and when faced with it,... Read More

Credit Counseling ? Signs That You May Need Help

Credit counseling is a viable option for those who are... Read More

Are You SURE Your A Bad Debt?

Many people who seek the advice and guidance of debt... Read More

Mandatory Credit Counseling for Those Considering Bankruptcy

Most Americans are aware of the sweeping changes in U.S.... Read More

Budget the Luxuries First!

Strictly speaking, his advice was preceded by another Heinlein maxim... Read More

Repair Bad Credit Yourself

In March 2005, the U.S. financial services industry succeeded in... Read More

The ONE Law You Should Be Breaking

There is a law all smart people break.Parkinson's law.Parkinson's law... Read More

Hide That Car! Fighting the Repo Man

Vehicle repossession may appear justified in circumstances where a person... Read More

Drowning in Debt? Tips and Tricks for Getting Out of Hot Water with Creditors

Do you, like millions of other Americans, feel like you're... Read More

Budgeting and Debt Management

Debt management (specifically unsecured) is the first step to taking... Read More

Help for the Single Mother with Managing Credit and Debt

Today's consumers benefit drastically from the usefulness of credit. Credit... Read More

Getting Past The Idea Of Budgeting & Saving Money

I'm sure you'll agree that budgeting, saving money, and eliminating... Read More

The Credit Card Debt Termination Scam

"Legally terminate credit card debt! You can be debt-free in... Read More

Debt Relief -- Why Most Programs Have A 75% Failure Rate

Debt consolidation, equity loans, credit counseling, debt management plans, even... Read More

Stop Debt Collectors

Can you stop debt collectors ? . . .You better... Read More

The Effects of Consumer Debt

Consumer Borrowing Consumer borrowing in the UK has now crashed... Read More

Fast Track Out of Debt

You go to the mail box and scan - a... Read More

Debt Management - Is It the Right Choice For You?

Debt Management plans offer credit counseling clients a different and... Read More

Solutions to Single Mothers in Debt

As a single mother, lets admit it, times get tough.... Read More

The Five Most Popular Questions About Bankruptcy

WILL MY CREDITORS STOP HARASSING ME?Yes, they will! By law,... Read More

Debt Validation: Do you have to pay ?

It happens all the time. Debt collectors try to collect... Read More

Individual Voluntary Arrangements- A New Alternative to Bankruptcy

This May, the Department of Trade and Industry in the... Read More

Establish Money Saving Goals For Added Success

Having something tangible to strive towards can work wonders for... Read More

IVA: Individual Voluntary Arrangement

What Is an IVAThe IVA (Individual Voluntary Arrangement) was introduced... Read More

Tips For Saving Money

Still living from pay to pay? Or envying those great... Read More

What is Debt Settlement and How Does it Work?

Debt settlement involves negotiating with a creditor or creditors to... Read More

Use A Debt Checklist To Examine Where You Are

A Debt Checklist allows you to look at items and... Read More

Bankruptcy: What the New Law Means to You

On April 20 of this year, President Bush signed a... Read More

Life After Debt ? Strategies for Dealing with Problem Debt

Honorably and ethically rid yourself of burdensome debts using the... Read More

Debt Elimination 3

Planning To Achieve Debt EliminationOnce you have started the process... Read More

Credit Repair - Understanding The Basics

What is Credit?Credit means that you are using someone else's... Read More