I admire the way your family does things, toiletduck. The only thing I can think of that our family owed money for was a house. We never owned a new car or bought a big screen TV. We lived rather simply with little to no debt. Parents only have one credit card between the two of them and almost never use it except for emergencies or an occasional dinner. I learned to appreciate the value of money through living simply. I don't have a single credit card, no cable TV, and a micro electric bill ($11 a month). Oddly enough, I enjoy a greater financial freedom than my friends who make six figures a year.

On another note, I have a tremendous amount of respect for farmers. Without their hardwork, we all starve! You have some valuable survival skills to resort to if money ever becomes worthless. You will not go hungry.