Debt is a choice. You don't have to trap yourself in financial debt in the USA. People who trap themselves in debt, by and large, do it to themselves because they cannot or will not identify the difference between a "want" and a "need". In Europe, the gubmint insures that you are trapped in their debt from which there is no escape. I know a lot of Europeans, I've traveled and worked in many countries around the world and Europeans are, by far, some of the most miserable people I have ever met.
Many years ago when I was determining for myself the value of MLM, I came across and never forgot the teaching of GOOD ... Get Out Of Debt.
It has served me and my family relatively well.
My 'obligations' are simply taxes, electric, phone/internet.
Of course there is food, gasoline, insurance etc.
Otherwize, i'm good