Those of you who know me personally also know that I am a huge fan of Suze Orman.  My favorite part of her show is the "Can I Afford It" segment.  Viewers call in and ask if they can afford something and she tells them yes or no.  Now one would think that a person should know whether or not they can afford something but the current state of our economy indicates otherwise.   People are clearly living way beyond their means!

A good friend of mine who is older and wiser told me he can remember the days when driving a Mercedes was a status symbol of wealth.  He went on to say that these days he considers it a sign of ignorance.  I realize that is a little harsh but seriously people need to get their priorities in order.  That Mercedes doesn't mean a whole heck of a lot if you are living in a crummy apartment.  Living in the apartment wouldn't be so bad if you were living within your means and saving your money to buy a house!  

Our current real estate market is a great time for people to get into that starter home but unfortunately a lot of buyers can't afford to buy right now because they have either ruined their credit or they are tapped out financially.  Suze Orman has a book appropriately titled The Money Book for the Young, Fabulous & Broke.  I have recommended this book to several people and they have found it helpful if getting back on track financially.  Click here for more information on how you can improve your financial situation.