Pop quiz. How many times has Dave Ramsey said that you need to spend more time doing a budget than you do finding out who gets thrown off the island? Answer ... a boatload, baby. The television schedule ain't gonna feed you at retirement or put your kids through school, so why do you spend so much time rotting your brain cells? Don't say because it's more fun than talking about money, because not paying attention to your debt will only make it grow.

And if that ain't enough to get you to turn off the tube, then listen to this: if you ballpark the 700 smackers it takes to maintain watching TV each month (including Tivo, cable, DVD rentals and even the opportunity cost of watching TV vs. getting a minimum wage job), then that money invested over 40 years at 12% would turn into 8.2 million ... and change. That's not even counting the dough you have to cough up to buy all that stuff in the first place.

Don't get me wrong ... I get into Turner Classic Movies or an episode of "The Office" as much as the next joe. But I keep it in check and keep an eye on my money. Better do the same, baby.