Debt diminishes; wealth enhances. Getting from the pit of debt despair to wealth confidence requires some gritty work. Finding reliable help is difficult. Many marketers live off the left-overs of the debt-heavy by making promises unkept and offering unreliable services. The worst you feel about your circumstances, the more likely you will succumb to proffered possibilities.

If you’d like to feel better, consider the U.S. Treasury’s marketing charade. How does a $44 trillion dollar debt-deficit (yes, that is redundant) sound? Further, you and I will ante up for it. The interest costs may be lower than your creditcard; you’ll still have to write a check.

Parenthetical to this blog entry, you might want to track the comments of Larry Kotlikoff, Boston University economics department chair. He dislikes politicians because they don’t tell the truth (just like some internet marketers).

Kilkoff says, “I hate politicians…These people are so focused on the next election, they don’t care about the next generation. The thing that really turns my stomach is that they have the opportunity to do good, and they know they’re doing bad, and it’s okay. It’s immoral.” Some internet marketer offers to resolve your debt are immoral.

Debt accumulation sometimes is not intentional. Debt happens because children have needs, taxes must be paid, a family must be clothed, houses need heat and electricity, and nothing we buy seems to get less expensive.

Other times, we consume what we don’t need accompanied by the insatiable appetite of plastic cards. Making lists before heading in the department store door might save you money. Go down the specific aisles, avoid looking right or left, and when you finish the list, head for the check-out counter. Merchandise lures us and credit cards sucker us. Just say, “No”.

When you get stuck, seek legitmate and reputable help. Start with government suggestions. No marketing; just clear-headed, government-sponsored advice.

For U.S. consumers:
• Federal Trade Commission: Credit Repair

Money Management International

• The Myvesta Foundation

For British consumers: