It is easy to say that our mounting debts are because of the recession, the worsening economy, lay offs and unemployment. It certainly can feel like all things financial are overwhelming but these things are not the chief reason we as a society find ourselves broke and still in debt.

The reality is, we as a society, so easily buy into debt. Debt is definitely sold to us in pretty packages with a lot of fancy or funny commercials. It is a barrage of non-stop marketing that leads us to believe “we MUST have that”. So we want it and we buy it. It rarely matters that we are overspending, at least until we realize once again we are broke after payday.

There are so many promises being made to use. Quick, easy application processes lure us in. No-worries, interest-free payment plans are being advertised all over town. These marketing tactics lead us to believe we really can afford it. But the hard facts are - we can not. If you can not buy it in cash, you can not afford it. This is how credit card debt gets us every time. We don’t have the cash for it so we spend on credit, always thinking we will have the money. But then the bill comes in and presto - no cashola to pay it. The interest rates go up and now you are even more broke than last month.

• It is a vicious cycle but once you realize that you are partly blame, you can make things better. Once you realize the barrage of marketing tactics are too powerful for you to resist, you can find ways to avoid them.

• It may mean making drastic changes to your life, such as cutting out television but you can always find the positive side to those changes. Cut out the television will help cut down the costs of your utility bills and you can eliminate cable altogether.

• You will also want to start shopping only when you have a list. Don’t go to the store to browse when you are bored. Those big, yellow clearance signs will always get the best of you.

• Print ads can get you when you read the paper each day. Just make a point of tossing the sales fliers you don’t need right into the recycle bin, before your curiosity gets the better of you.

• Start focusing on a savings account and a plan. By keeping your attention and excitement trained on reaping the rewards of stashing your cash, you can redirect your attention away from all the other stuff.