To solve part of the problem, here is an outrageous suggestion: impose a card-specific, knowledge-based test to determine whether a person is eligible for *using* a credit card. A credit card application won't go through unless all the questions are answered correctly. Such tests should include simple questions like:

* What does APR stand for?

* What is the grace period on the card for which you are applying?

* What will be your APR if you miss one payment?

I guess that is a pretty good milestone to hit: a six-figure income before I'm 40 (just barely). Of course it is one of those things that has more psychological significance than actual real-life impact. If I look at it another way, it's less of a big deal, given my age, and the fact that I live in New York where it's worth less, and where you've got hordes of 25-year olds who already make more than that as lawyers or bankers. And yet only about 10% of American households have incomes of more than $100,000, from stats I've read-- and given that many households these days have two wage earners, the percentage of individual workers who earn more than $100,000 must be even smaller.

I don't know about the people who live in Oregon or the perception of those who have never received food stamps -- but when I was getting them, that was some of the best eating we ever had! Struggle? Puhleeze! We had steak, chicken breast, turkey, fruit, fresh veggies, dairy and LOTS OF CHEESE. :-) I may have been poor, but I sure wasn't hungry. LOL

It was nothing to plan a barbecue during the summer months. "Who got stamps?" was the first question asked.

With all the extra stress at work and with my family (my health, mother's health & now father's health), I am turning towards mindless shopping.