Spending Is The Real Underlying Problem

By Russ Minary | Guest Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice

“Too many people spend money they haven’t earned, to buy things they don’t want, to impress people they don’t like.”  – Will Rogers

Will Rogers (1879–1935) was an American humorist, entertainer and cowboy philosopher. He had no college degree, but he was smarter (and funnier) than most of the experts, economists and bureaucrats of his day, many of whom went broke in the Depression. Will had common sense which is uncommon today.

This article will put a different and positive perspective on a problem that will eventually bankrupt all of us: SPENDING. Our nation is being slowly consumed by massive unsustainable DEBT. Debt doesn’t happen without spending. Spending is a problem with businesses, government – and many average Americans. 

WalletHub, a website full of consumer finance advice and resources, published a report in Sept. 2025 entitled  “States with Largest and Smallest Credit Card Debt Increases.”  The report compared consumer credit card debt in 50 states based on the latest consumer-finance data available from TransUnion and the Federal Reserve, adjusted for inflation. According to their calculations, Americans owe roughly $1.32 TRILLION to credit cards, with around $65 BILLION of that amount coming from last year alone. 

A few thousand years ago, King Solomon wrote: “The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.” If you owe money on stuff, it isn’t yours. Miss a few payments and the lender will show you. Debt is at the root of many problems like divorce, relationship issues, homelessness and addiction.

Credit card debt happens when people spend money they’ve borrowed. Americans use credit cards for almost everything. Rather than paying the balance off, many are increasing their credit card balances every month and only making minimum payments. 

This trend will only end badly – unless we all take some drastic measures at the household, local, State and Federal level. When consumers cannot pay their debts and default on their debts, banks and everyone else – including you – suffers. 

Right now, Congress and Federal officials are having a kerfuffle about spending. In Colorado, our State government is avoiding the solution to BIG deficits. There is lots of finger-pointing and blaming, but only a few are willing to address the real main underlying problem: SPENDING. 

In a recent discussion with an elected CO government official (who will remain anonymous), he shared his experience in handling government budgets and spending. Here’s a paraphrase of his perspective. “Someone comes to me wanting us to approve and fund a certain issue or pet project. When I tell them that it must go through a certain approval process and that money isn’t available in the budget, their response is ‘Find the money.’”  

People want what they want and they don’t want to pay for it themselves. But they want other people to pay for it. Many people today take no responsibility for their own personal spending, and how that may impact them and the taxes they pay yet they expect ‘the government’ to pay for it.

So, here is a recommendation that could help break the deadlocks and partisan bickering,  and solve the problem eventually. Many readers will not like it because it’s uncomfortable, painful and will require change. Change is good…for those other people.

Start with your own household budget (most Americans don’t have one). Examine ALL of your spending in every area in detail. Determine the difference between what you want and what you really need. Find things you can do without, like: nice cars, big homes, vacations, boats, media subscriptions, dining out, gym memberships, high end clothing or bling, and other toys and non-essential items. If you’re really honest, you’ll find a lot of ‘em. Start cutting, drastically, right now. Be brutally honest with yourself. You can do without this stuff…if you’re willing to try it. 

Remember, the money that you keep rather than spending  is yours to use for whatever you wish. You can accomplish a financial dream, buy a home, replace a vehicle, support your kids and loved ones, give it to a cause or needy person – or anything else. Your money is your money but your neighbor’s money is theirs. 

Now, apply the same logic and process when you consider government spending at any level. Vote for people who will do that, too. When government at any level spends money – it will come out of your pocket, either directly or indirectly. You pay taxes because the government spends your money. Some government is good and necessary, but much of it isn’t.

Question: would you deposit your money in a bank where the executives all drive expensive cars and live in expensive homes, while your balance gets smaller each month instead of bigger, despite your regular deposits? Our government is doing that to you right now, every day.

One last point for your consideration. My late mentor Jim Sirbasku once said, “The economy begins at my front door and ends at my back door.”  Take care of yourself first and get solid financial advice. You can do this.

Useful links:
WalletHub –  https://wallethub.com/   (financial info and resources)

Financial Peace University – https://www.ramseysolutions.com/money/financial-peace  (get out of debt, understand your money and use it wisely)

Russ Minary is a retired sales executive, advertising and marketing consultant, small business owner and veteran. He helped businesses with hiring, talent consulting and organizational effectiveness before retiring. He is not a financial professional or investment advisor.

Editor’s note: Opinions expressed in commentary pieces are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the management of the Rocky Mountain Voice, but even so we support the constitutional right of the author to express those opinions.