Part 2 Credit card debt may seem insurmountable, but the causes are often simple ones

Part 2 Credit card debt may seem insurmountable, but the causesare often simple onesIn part one of this series, we examined a few of the most commonreasons why many Americans are overwhelmed by credit card debt.In part 2 of this series, we will examine the remainder of thetop ten reasons why many people are burdened with a debt thatthey cannot seem to repay.5. Medical expenses. The health insurance system in this countryis a mess, and an entire Website could be dedicated to findingsolutions to the problem. The bottom line is this - Americanswho have health insurance have it because they work for someonewho is kind enough to buy it for them. Everyone else is out ofluck. And if you have ever had to pay for skin cancer removal ora colonoscopy with a credit card, you know that the experiencecan be as painful as the medical procedure itself. UntilCongress can work out some sort of fair and equitable system forhealth insurance for everyone, medical expenses and credit carddebt will always be intertwined.6. Inability to talk with spouse about money. Many Americanhouseholds have two wage earners who aren't well versed intalking about money. Not only should a husband and wife be ableto talk about money in order to effectively manage it, they alsoneed to have a common goal and not work against each other. Ifone is frugal and the other is buying every item advertised onthe Home Shopping Network, the household will have a problem,and a big one. Communication is key.7. Waiting for the lottery. Some people just don't worry abouttomorrow, thinking that, one way or another, it will take careof itself. Perhaps they will win the lottery, or the Publisher'sClearinghouse sweepstakes, or perhaps they'll find oil in theback yard or inherit a bunch of money from Aunt Elsa. Don'tcount on what you don't have. Don't spend tomorrow's money today.8. Lack of knowledge. A big component of money management isunderstanding how financial transactions work. Many people don'teven learn how to write a check in school;, it's no surprisethat they don't learn about mutual funds, savings accounts orIRAs, either. Knowledge is power. If you don't know howfinancial transactions work, buy a book.9. Less job than they need. Having a part time job and spendinglike you have a full time job is a problem. Until your salarycatches up with your spending, you're spending too much. It'sthat simple.10. Gambling. The ease of Internet gambling, legal or not, makesit way too easy to blow hundreds or thousands of dollars fromhome. Many people have lost everything this way - job, house,spouse, car. It's not only a quick path to debt, but it's also aquick path to personal bankruptcy.