Do you hate making a late payment? Sure, we all do. But they're happening, bub ... at the highest rate in 3 and a half years. Those late payments also pave the way to a record number of foreclosures, said the boys at the Mortgage Bankers Association. Joes and jills who've had "tarnished credit histories" (read: too much debt and not enough know-how to fix it), get loans for their houses, but are falling behind again.

I've said it before, and here it is again. If you don't handle the dough, it'll handle you. If you don't learn how to make a budget and say "no" to stuff you can't afford, you'll spend all your time running around making payments, dealing with jerk collectors and sky-high interest rates. Life's too short, baby. For my money, I'm spreading the word about getting out of debt and how to invest smart.

If that ain't enough for you, check this. The host of The Dave Ramsey Show says the best things in life can't be bought. Spend time with your family at the park or the dinner table and you'll see what I mean.