What Are American Consumers THINKING?

One of the hardest aspects of financial planning is the discipline it takes to curb your habits and re-focus. And overcoming habit is hard. But at this point, some things seem ingrained in the American consciousness to the point of ridiculousness, as MarketWatch points out:

Yet still, despite falling house prices, soaring energy prices, a credit crisis hitting the financial sector, and increasing concern about more violence in the Middle East, the amazingly resilient American consumer continues to pack malls, restaurants, highways, popular air routes, concerts, and sporting events, as if the bill for all these hijinks will never come due.

More, now than ever, is the time to start paying for what we want with the money that we have.