Are you living the American Dream? It’s the place we all imagine exists, where if you work hard enough for long enough, you’ll get to enjoy financial freedom and make a better life for your family.

Most people aren’t living that dream, because they can’t afford it. They have too much debt.

Corporations and the government and even very well-meaning individuals preach that debt is just a part of life. But I don’t agree. As a bankruptcy lawyer in Memphis, I’ve come to realize debt isn’t natural – it’s poison.