I’m going to preface this by saying that I am a writer. I majored in history and minored in fine arts in college. I can write my way out of jail, but I cannot add up the dinner bill to save my life.

Suppose you make $22,000. Then suppose you spend $25,000. That means you are borrowing $3,000 to pay for the extra goodies you and your family can't really afford. OK. That might work. Once. To pay ...