The Dangers of Debt

This time of year is notorious for the growth of personal debt -- mostly due to purchasing Christmas presents with credit cards.  Today we will be starting Dave Ramsey's video series on the Dangers of Debt.

Before we begin, answer the following questions:

1. In what ways is it easier, safer, or more convenient to use a credit card instead of cash?
2. What kinds of "rewards" do credit card companies offer customers for using their cards?
3. Why is it important to "Build your credit?"
4. Why are teenagers the number one target of credit card companies?

During [or after] the video, answer the following questions:

1. About how many credit card applications does the average college student receive their first year of college?
2. What does "living paycheck to paycheck" mean?  (70% of Americans are doing it)
3. What is a "paradigm shift"?
4. How has the perception of debt changed since the early 1900's?  (Beginning with the 1910 Sears Catalog example)  How do our great grandparents, grandparents, and parents see debt differently?
5. How did credit cards begin in the 1950's?
6. Approximately how many credit card offers went out last year?  (According to this movie from a few years ago)

And something to think about:

pred·a·tor  

/ˈpredətər/

Noun

1. An animal that naturally preys on others.
2. A rapacious, exploitative person or group.