Mortgaging our kids' futures

Q: What is a guy to do about the fact that Washington is mortgaging our kids’ futures as Americans? You live frugally and then you find out that the rewards go to the people that were the speculators, spendthrifts, and unrepentant consumers, and to the corporations that were pigs at the trough of cheap money. I am not asking if it is “fair”, just, literally, what can you do?

A: I’ve always thought that you have to always live responsibly, help others when you can, and mind your own business. The problem, of course, is that our business is now held hostage to the poor decisions of others and I’m afraid that’s only going to get worse, not better. Every action we’ve seen from the government so far clearly suggest that in my view.

As for what we can all do - I think we continue to live below our means, develop multiple streams of income, invest in ourselves and our education, stay responsible and save as much as we can, appreciate the important things in life like friends and family (none of them require money), and work hard. At a minimum, this will set the example for our kids who will need it to pay the bills when they come due.