European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - October 21, 1986, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Magazine debt secret sin of the 80s United press International stars and stripes a financial advisor Calls in the sea Elsin of the 1980s. Psychologist say Mars people than Ever need help 1odreak its grip. The culprit is personal debt and american Consumers Are piling up Bills Al a greater Pace in this decade than Al any time in history owing on a National average approximately 20 percent More than they  blast Federal Reserve Board figures show americans Are making monthly payments on debts of $567.34 billion although the actual amount of real debt a a controversial subject. Financial advisor Robert Olalda of san Francisco says Debl is the Secrel sin of the 80s" for he so called baby Boom generation of Consumers Between the Ages of 25 and 40. Between easy credit heavy Debl and poor i Nancian advice Many people Don t have a realistic grasp on their financial status or what lifestyle they can manage said Ortalda they have an idea Hal everybody else can easily afford Lancy cars Homes and expensive trips the lifestyle of an entire generation has been built on a House of cards credit  a Echo Logut a my some people spend compulsively because of problems brought on by depression anxiety or stress. Others spend wildly out of Habil because easy credit is available or because they be never Learned How to manage Money. Americans overseas Are no different. Within the military Community in Europe debt is a major problem. Financial Counselor report that recurring patterns of spending produce recurring financial troubles. The current weak Dollar makes matters worse. The availability of credit cards leads to spending sprees. One army Community services financial. Services director predicts that problems will escalate now that cafes has started accepting credit cards an american express official reports Hal bad checks at military banking outlets in Europe Are running a record 37,000 a month. This is the first of a three part stars and Stii pea report which focuses on the secret sin of the 80s" and How in affects military members overseas. Our stories examine the problem the consequences and ways to solve it. Today s articles on pages t41 5 Deal with Debl. Bad checks and credit cards wednesday s stories examine the plight of the american coping with a weak Dollar on Friday the series ends with advice on cud Geling and saving to help avoid the Debl trap tuesday october 21. 1986 the stars and stripes Page 13