[Pessimist]

"But sometimes people who have little choice when the car suddenly breaks down.."

Yeah, but that should really be pretty rare. I think one big reason a lot of people don't have some pin money set aside is that they are already paying out every penny they make on existing debt to begin with.

[theDentist]

It should be, but sometimes you can't afford a newer car, and have to use what you got. Me, I cut up almost all plastic. Just have 3 accounts now, about to be 2, and 1 by mid-summer.

[Moose4]

I think one big reason a lot of people don't have some pin money set aside is that they are already paying out every penny they make on existing debt to begin with.

Been there, done that, living it. You're pushing that boulder up the hill, slowly making progress, and then the car breaks down or there's a hospital trip or some other unforeseen expense, and the rock rolls back over you and you start pushing it up all over again. It's definitely a marathon, getting out of debt.

}:-)4

[been_lurking]

I think one big reason a lot of people don't have some pin money set aside is that they are already paying out every penny they make on existing debt to begin with.

Exactly. Too much house, too much car, cell phones, cable/satellite service, big screen TV's, Ipod's, etc. etc.

What people today consider "essentials" is clearly laughable.