Originally broadcast on the television program Marketplace.

As never before, Canada is a nation in debt. In fact, we've reached the point where the average Canadian family owes more than it earns. In 1984, Canadians owed about $187 billion in personal debt. Today we owe more than $801 billion. Personal bankruptcies are near record highs. We carry 74 million credit cards-- three for every Canadian over the age of 18-- Marketplace met with three families living close to the edge. Like so many Canadians, they are living on credit and paying massive amounts of interest. Is there any way out in a world where money is practically free, and credit is there for the asking?.