Book excerpt: Borrowing from Peter to pay Paul? The American economy is dragging, with unemployment rates rising and consumer debt hitting $2.5 trillion. Many people are in deep and need help. Here, a Certified Financial Planner explains the mathematics of debt; strategies to deal with credit card, mortgage, student, and other loans; why debt consolidation and taking loans from a 401(k) can lead to problems; truths about bankruptcy; and how to use debt while eliminating it. • Includes essential resources and websites, sample letters and forms, loan forgiveness programs, bankruptcy resources • Author a Certified Financial Planner • Covers every kind of debt, mortgages to credit cards to student loans • National credit card debt is growing exponentially