Black Friday – what is the appeal, why do people wake up at awful times – the day after a holiday that celebrates thankfulness – and spend loads of money, money that ,usually, they shouldn’t even be spending? Our country is in debt, and our economy is failing, and yet people go shopping at 12:00 am?

The American consumer is good at one thing- consuming. We spend billions of dollars on merchandise each year. We have credit card, car, and house debts and yet we spend more and more until our wallets shed tears of remorse. If our country continues to consume without thinking, our economy is just going to get worse. It does not benefit anyone – but the credit card companies – when people buy things with money they don’t have.

We learn from youth that there are two kinds of people; people you can lend things to, and the people that return lent items broken and covered in dog slobber. Banks are giving money to people who cannot handle it. Our schools don’t teach how to get out of debt- most of our parents and teachers are in debt! The financial advisor my friend goes to has two house payments! Our country is the country of debt we cannot pay, instead of leaving an inheritance we are leaving a house, car, and TV payment for our kids to handle. We blame the government for our problems, but it all really starts at home.

How can we get rid of debt; how can we keep out of debt; how can we save money? It isn’t easy to find the answers; apparently it is so hard that The White House cannot even figure it out.

Here are just a few things that teenagers, and even adults, can do.

1. Do not get credit cards. “But how am I going to build up my credit score?” You don’t. You build up your savings account and back away from the Starbucks line.

2. Avoid loans. Even school loans! Banks are not there to help you get out of debt, where do they get their money from? You. The debtor. Get a job, go to a cheaper college, fundraise, go to school online – just don’t accumulate debt before your adulthood even begins.

3. Do not buy new cars. Did you know that as soon as you drive a car off the lot it loses thousands of dollars in value? Your first car does not have to be a Jaguar, buy a car that will get you around- and pay in cash. Do this not-so-popular thing called saving money. Pay no more than $5000 for your first car.

4. Have a budget. Have you ever received some money and it slowly disappears and soon you reach for your wallet and it is gone? You probably didn’t budget it, did you? A budget is crucial; each dollar must have a “task”. Some money should be saved, some should be given to charities (or church if that is your decision), and some (NOT ALL) should be spent. Budgets aren’t for old or “uncool” people- they are for people who like to keep their money.

5. Save money. Save for a car. Save for a house. Save for your future kids (they cost so much it is scary). Do not think that you are too young, or even too old, to start saving! You do not have to be a slave to debt. A financial speaker by the name of Dave Ramsey once said “Live like no one else, so that you can live like no one else.” If you live a debt-free life, you will truly be like no one else. But it starts today, right now, with the little decisions that will later be life changing.

It is shopping spree season, but hopefully you will be armed with a little financial wisdom this year. Have fun, and be safe.