Are we really watching our money?

You can't turn on the TV without hearing about the economy and job losses, however, are the American people really cutting back due to these economic times?

Luckily, I only know of 2 people who have lost their jobs in my circle of friends, however, at my job I have come across quite a few. What has surprised me about most of these people is the things they cannot part with...cell phone, Internet, cable or entertainment. Don't get me wrong, I am not judging, I am no different. I have had several conversations with my Mother on cutting monthly expenses and I had a "good" excuse as to why I couldn't live without these things. My vice is the Internet and TV, I could NOT live without these things....or can I?

Sometimes I feel we have all gotten ourselves into this mess because we show no restraint to the things we want...not need. My husband and I are no different and almost never deny ourselves of anything, especially when it comes to the girls. I fear my kids will grow up thinking they can have anything they want, just because they ask. When I tell them things like "we didn't budget for that", they says "just charge it." They are 4!! Yes, I understand this is our fault, but, the mind set with everyone is "just charge it". Maybe I am wrong, maybe Pete and I are careless about our money, however, why are the charge card companies sending us cards with limits that exceed what I paid for my house. When someone continues to tell you that you "can" afford something...ie charge card companies...they you feel like you can. You tend not to watch your money, because, you feel like if someone is willing to trust you with a limit over $200k, you feel like you can spend like that...does that make sense?

I'm not blaming creditors, it is our responsibility to manage our own money. If Pete and I used every card send to us and maxed all to the limits, we would be close to owing $700-750k...that is a lot of money! Creditors should take some responsibility fir their actions, credit limits like this are uncalled for. Thankfully, Pete and I know credit cards are our downfall and never accept these cards. We have one card that we use and that is basically for gas and Pete's travel, however, if he lost his job today we would in fact use all of these cards. Our cash on hand would go all to our mortgage...why because I can charge EVERYTHING ELSE!

I guess the point to this post is basically to see what others think. Are you good with money? Do you get credit cards in the mail everyday? Do you have more credit, than tangible items that can be sold to pay off debt? We keep asking for help, but, I don't think a chunk of money is going to solve all the problems. Education, restraint and loosing that opinion that we are always entitled to everything we want must change. What do you think?

I know we should be much better with our money and we are trying. We have cut expenses a lot, but, we have a long way to go. We still eat out a lot, don't budget for food and spend money on pointless things for the girls. Are we the perfect example of the American Population or the exception to the rule?