I’ve had a couple of memorable conversations with people about whether heavy media coverage of issues like foreclosure, credit card debt and other financial downers shape the way we think about money.

The argument: pointing out people in the financial deep makes others feel like debt is as American as pumpkin pie.

What never seems to get reported are the facts about how many people have health insurance and how many people pay off their credit card debts in full. It’s a twist on the ol’ why can’t you report on the happy news, the newborn babes, the cats rescued from trees, that kind of rainbow-hued stuff.

I admit that when writing a bummer of a financial trend story I’m empathetic, but can’t personally relate. And I wonder how it is that I’ve resisted the ATVs and new cars and 3,000 square foot homes I can’t afford while others don’t. I also thank my lucky stars that life hasn’t thrown me a rubber check yet.

But then I realize I’m not so different. For instance, lately I’ve been close to booking a few days vacation in Mexico, but can’t pull the trigger. We can afford it in the don’t-have-to-charge-it kind of way. But I know full well that this money should really be locked away for our inevitable car purchase in the next couple years. Or to up our pathetic charitable giving this year.

Yes, we’re all full of contradictions, especially when it comes to spending, saving, and keeping up with the neighbors.

What do you think? Do you think coverage of our supposed culture of debt has slowly turned generations from depression-era savers to spendthrifts?

I’ve made a few money mistakes along the way, but I think my financial upbringing has a lot to do with not getting in too deep and socking away some money, no matter how little, each and every month.

I don’t remember the exact words, but I remember my dad’s sentiment about credit card interest. Something like: “credit cards should be used for convenience but don’t pay those credit card companies interest.” That’s now a cardinal rule for me and I’ve performed backbreaking financial stunts to pay my bill off in full without exception all but once in the 10+ years I’ve had a card.

What financial advice did you inherit from your parents?

And if the answer is nada, tell us what terrible habits you picked up from the folks and what you’ve done to shed them (the habits, not the parents).

Imagine my surprise when I clicked on the WSJ’s Real Time Economics blog and found a link to Chaska Herald writer Mark Olson’s insightful blog entry about rap star Jay-Z flashing a stack o’ $500 euros in his latest video.

He writes:

It