That’s right. A company specializing in collecting money owed by the dead from widows and other relatives, much of which doesn’t need to be repaid, is based right here in “nice” Minnesota.

I was going to write a full post on the topic, which the NYT wrote about today, but consumer attorney Sam Glover beat me to it on his blog.

If you find yourself in this unfortunate situation, here is a list of questions to ask courtesy of creditcards.com, when a collector calls about a loved one’s  credit card debt.

For general rules about debt collection, here’s a link to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.

I don’t have details on what circumstances would require a relative to pay off a loved one’s debts, but I’ m working on it. Glover just posted some info from an attorney specializing in this matter.

Our nation’s debt has been a popular topic for documentaries lately. Remember In Debt We Trust and Maxed Out?

Well, tomorrow I.O.U.S.A. “the story of America’s four key deficits – budget, savings, balance of payments and leadership” is opening. It’s a documentary about our nation’s bajillion dollar deficit (OK it’s really just $52,700,000,000,000), our ailing legacy programs (Social Security and it’s bed-ridden relative Medicare) and how our kids are basically going to pay for our fiscal responsibility for their lives and their kids’ lives and maybe even their kids’ lives.

Anyway, it is showing at several theaters tomorrow at 7 p.m. And after the movie, there will be a 45- minute live panel discussion simulcast at the theaters featuring Warren Buffett, CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, William Niskanen, chairman of the CATO Institute, Bill Novelli, CEO of AARP, Pete Peterson, senior chairman of The Blackstone Group and the Pete Peterson Foundation, and Dave Walker, former U.S. Comptroller General (who visited Minneapolis with his Fiscal Wake-Up Tour in 2007). According to the press release, “the discussion will explore the growth of the national debt and what can be done to make the nation more fiscally sound.”

The event is $18, pricier than a normal movie ticket. Still, I hope to see you at the Rosedale AMC at 7 p.m. It’s also playing at these locations.

File this under stupid PR pitch of the day. It’s from a company called Messagerocks.com, which sells motivational slogans etched in rocks.

One rock is emblazoned with the saying “Do I really need this?” and on the other side it says “I love being free of debt.”

I kid you not.

They also have a gambling rock that says “Lady luck is with me.” and on the flip side: “I am a winner.”

The price? $29.95 plus shipping and handling.

I have an idea. Go outside. Grab a rock. Grab a Sharpie. There you go.

I was talking last week with Carlson School of Management Professor David Hopkins about what it will take to get people to stop living beyond their means.

A branding expert, Hopkins said maybe we needed a public service campaign the likes of Smokey the Bear, or the crying Native American canoeing through dirty water for saving and spending.

Anti-smoking ads are the latest example.

I was proposing an ad featuring seniors digging through dumpsters or eating cat food because they have no money in retirement.

Have an ad idea that you think would scare Americans into saving? Then read on.

Students (including grad students) ages 14 and older can win $5,000 for school expenses if their public service announcement for so-called “debt disease” is picked as the winner. The web-based video contest at www.KeepItInYourPants.org–a site worth visiting even if you have no plans to enter the contest. The contest is co-sponsored by the Service Employees International Union and the League of Young Voters.

You have until March 19th to send in your entry.

The sponsors say the contest is a response to readily available credit for college students:

“Credit card debt can ruin your life, spreading and growing like a disease,” said Stephen Lerner, SEIU Assistant to the President and Director of the Private Equity Project. “We’re warning young people of the dangers of ‘Debt Disease’—and urging them to protect themselves the same way they would against any other dangerous and contagious social epidemic.”

What do you think? Will such a campaign work?

The idea that being in debt impacts one’s ability to save for the future is certainly no surprise. But a Securian study that addresses America’s debt, attitudes about debt, and how they feel owing money has affected retirement plans is pretty interesting.Take a look here.

They found that 7 of 10 retirees currently have debt. The survey does not count mortgages as debt, which I find to be peculiar and also frightening. Whatever happened to the idea of retiring the mortgage when you retire from your job?

Debt is also the main priority for the majority of those surveyed. Not retirement savings.

It also found that most consumers are philosophically against debt. Sixty-eight percent believe that financial irresponsibility is to blame for debt. Yet 82 percent of those surveyed said they have some form of debt.

I have debt– a student loan. And I’m sure many of you out there have car loans (which we may take on soon) and credit card debt.

Do you consider debt a normal part of life? Is it shameful? Do we rely too much on debt? Should mortgage debt be retired when you do?

Share your thoughts about debt in this country. Are we in too deep? Are you?