Are you one of the many Americans that can be catergorized as financially challenged?  Recent study indicates that our nation carries far more debt and with that, minimal understanding of it's true cost and how long it would take to pay it off.  CNN ran the story.

Utilize no more than 10% of your credit in order to have balance in your life.  This is the advise according to a recent article on CNN.  Funny, this runs very similiar to Biblical prinicipals about the 10% rule. The premise, if you have a $10,000 credit limit, carry no more than $1,000 in debt at any give time.  Pretty step considering the average consumer carries a debt balance of $8,000.  Note, this does not reflect student loans, mortgages, or other large ticket items.  Just good ole consumer debt.