<prompt> Human: When I was in my early 20s, I was laid off from a job. Rather than seek a new one, I got the bright idea to apply for a high-limit credit card I had great credit and start an e-commerce business. Fast forward six months later and the venture failed. I could no longer make the minimum payments which then started a cascade failure in my life. Eventually I was sued by the creditor, my car was repoed, a few more accounts went into collection, I moved back home with my parents, and I slid into depression.It took me a couple of years to begin crawling out of the hole and about a decade to completely emerge. However, today I have a successful business not started on credit cards!, make good money, and have a credit score in the high 700s. I cant imagine ever slipping into credit card debt again, but Im sure no one plans on it. Id be curious to know peoples stories? Im sure not everyone tried starting a business. It might help me avoid future problems if I better understood others mindsets, decisions, and circumstances.  <response>: Typical story- young and irresponsible. And typical solution too- wised up, got a budget and stuck to it. Now I only have a little bit of credit card debt to go! The best piece of advice that has stuck with me since I heard it was find the best budget for YOU. It took me a couple of years to find out where the wiggle room etc was, but I did it, and Im sure you can too. 