Are you implying that people were running up debt to pay for necessities? I think that's a rare scenario. The debts went to boats, trucks, stereos, ATVs, motorcycles, etc. That's not hand to mouth. From time to time I hear people bitching about how hard it is to make ends meet, how tough it is to pay the mortgage and put food on the table. So far, all those people have payments for a brand new truck and a harley in the garage. And you better believe they have the latest electronics from cell phones to ipods.