Though you're being rather flippant, I agree this is the key.
When there's a mountain of debt before you, the little spending decisions you make today seem to have no consequence on your fate. The cappuccino and Wired magazine that you buy on the way to work are of no consequence compared to all the money you owe.
Clearing debt can feel like digging at that mountain with a dessert spoon.
> Clearing debt can feel like digging at that mountain with a dessert spoon.
Right, and the prize for those who have the discipline and patience to finish? nothing. (well, nothing tangible anyway)
It reminds me of the "Bee Sting Theory" article (http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=1467832). We are conditioned to view our finances in a competitive way, as a measure of our social value...and people deep into debt feel like they are so far behind their peers financially that they can't ever catch up anyway- so rather than futily trying, they cheat and try to buy the status symbols on credit instead. Stupid yes, but easy to understand on a psychological level.
When there's a mountain of debt before you, the little spending decisions you make today seem to have no consequence on your fate. The cappuccino and Wired magazine that you buy on the way to work are of no consequence compared to all the money you owe.
Clearing debt can feel like digging at that mountain with a dessert spoon.