It’s not rocket science knowing that the key to being debt free is to spend less than you earn. But talking about it is much easier than doing it, which is why so many Americans are strapped with debt.

So how can one successfully pay off debt? With a lot of sweat and tears, apparently.

When we got married at the start of the new millenium, we didn’t have a lot of money. We did get a little bit of help from both sides of our family, but most of the expenses were up to us.

Considering the high cost of college these days, I’m not a die-hard proponent of “all kids need to go to college.” Twenty years ago, a college degree made a difference in income levels, but today I’d beg to differ. I also don’t tout the importance of college compared to the cost of tuition.

Pulling close to 12-hour days and going to school part-time (will I ever be finished? Next June – whoo, hoo.), my schedule just hasn’t allowed me to think clearly and publish witty, though-provoking posts – or even boring ones, for that matter.

For the typical middle-class income family, lifestyle inflation is most likely the cause. Target group: Middle class income earners in excess of $51,000.