Debt/inflation in America is reducing the purchase power of the federal reserve note for consumers ever more by the day. Gen X is @ the top of the list when it comes to down grading from financial pikers to outright financial pipsqueaks, with the Boomer generation pushing a somewhat distance 2nd place for drowning in debt. The various generations accumulated debt that carries over monthly appears to be growing substantially meaning there now remains not a snowball's chance in hell for any quality of life in the future for these chronic debtors. As the old saying goes; "You can pay me now or pay me later." The difference is that the "later" comes with ever compounding INTEREST! The below link is fairly comprehensive for it's short duration.