Debt Isn't Always a Four-Letter Word

Times are tough, but don't blindly follow the "debt is bad" mantra.

People who haven't worried about debt in years past are now finding it isn't all that fun to carry it when the economy turns sour and housing prices drop. That said, not all debt is bad. As with most issues relating to personal finances, learning to avoid the extremes and figure out the best way to make debt work to your advantage should be a primary goal.

Here are six examples of how debt can be good for you:

Debt builds wealth. If you have a great idea for a company but you don't have the money to start the business, you will either have to save it or borrow it. If the business becomes profitable, it often makes sense to borrow money to get started rather than wait for years to save it. If you have developed a quality business plan that realistically shows you can succeed, one of the best ways to make that happen is to get a loan. ...