Going Public About Financial Accountability and Debt

Accountability is a watchword on both sides of the debt collection industry. What gets run in the mainstream press, of course, are multiple accounts of collection agencies that aren’t acting in an accountable way. Consumer accountability, for the most part, is barely mentioned. How can one pursue Life, Liberty, and Happiness if one is held accountable for one’s actions?

Where’s the happiness in responsibility?

Take a moment to read this article over on TheDesertNews.com. It’s an interesting take on consumer accountability and responsibility.

Adam Baker and his wife, Courtney, blog publically about their debts at Man vs. Debt. It’s a compelling idea: being public about what they’re spending their money on, and how much they’re in debt, in many ways encourages the Bakers to make better spending choices.

They went from $78,000 in combined consumer/student debt to $39,000 in student debt. And this kind of frank discussion about spending, saving, and re-paying is unique in this country. Finger-pointing at the economy or banks is more common. And not that either of those entities is blameless; but, then, neither can really be considered entirely responsible, either.

Since most debt collectors are, in some ways, consumers as well — I think you’ll find Man vs. Debt an interesting resource not just into the ways consumers spend and pay back debt; but maybe into ways you can tighten up your own wallet, too.