Live within your means

Money is almost like an end-game. The goal every month is to have more money in your pocket than you did the previous month.

One of the biggest problems we faced as loan officers was people getting into debt and waiting too long before seeking help. Folks there is a time that you will hit the wall, meaning you can't go out and charge up all your credit cards, buy new cars and spend money like a druken sailor and then think someone is going to make it all go away!
The bankruptcy laws have been tightened up mostly for that exact reason, it was way too easy for people to go out and run up large amounts of debt and then run to the bankruptcy courts and make it all go away. Who do you think pays for all of that waste? We all do.
At some point you have to take responsibility for your own actions. If your not a good money manager there are programs and people who can help you.