Our deficit and our debt are at record levels, even compared to WWII. Then, the debt was financed internally, not by other countries, so the interest we could pay was lower and the money was recycled in the U.S. Now, the debt and deficit are mostly financed by other countries through bond offerings and the like. And as they grow, those debtor countries will want higher interest rates on repayments, which drains money out of the U.S. [more inside]
posted by CollectiveMind on Oct 5, 2009 - 4 answers

Use cash to start a business or for a down payment on a home. [more inside]
posted by mintchip on Sep 1, 2009 - 10 answers

Should I cancel my life insurance policy and use it to pay off most or all of my consumer debt? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Feb 29, 2008 - 8 answers

Is it better to pay off all my debts, or keep the debts and invest the money I would have paid them off with? [more inside]
posted by Jimbob on Jan 11, 2007 - 24 answers