The idea of financial stability often reminds me of watching the news, when a victim of a crime or of some kind of natural tragedy says he's always thought things like that only happen to other people.

At least part of the problem is with living beyond our means. The recession contributes to the problem, and necessities for the kids and the dogs add up, but do we really need HBO? What can we do without?

It's not easy. I feel I deserve to watch HBO, you know? I deserve all these things. This is America!!!

But what does it all mean? Did companies cynically convince me into thinking I live in a land of plenty, just so they could take my last Penny with the illusion that I deserve to get anything I want? Self control means not blaming society, for one...