On Point’s most recent show covered the increase of American’s debt and decline of thriftiness since the start of the nation.  From the show’s description:

Once upon a time, America was famous for its thrift — for local banks and credit unions and savers’ clubs that encouraged everyone – even the little guy and gal – to save their pennies and get ahead.

Today, America is famous – maybe infamous – as the debtor nation: the country that rains credit cards down on the public, builds “little guy” dreams on lotteries and scratch tickets, and struggles with a subprime lending mess.

What happened, and how do we fix it?

[Click here to listen to 'Debt Nation' on On Point]

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Header photograph by kevindooley