I was up in Alpine, Utah earlier this week and noticed all of the brand new behemoth homes popping up everywhere in this area.  Seeing these huge homes started a chain reaction of thoughts starting with how many of these people are really wealthy enough for such a huge home and ending with an article I had read showing Utah as being number one in Bankruptcy.

I've worked in the property management industry, credit reporting industry, and collections industry.  I can tell you that the majority of all the people I would see with bankruptcy or credit issues came right out of the Alpine area.  I would love to say that bankruptcy and money management problems were the same everywhere but seeing as Utah is number one in Bankruptcy I think it is safe to say it isn't. 

Why is Utah prone to such money management problems?  Personally I believe it may have to do something with the religious majority, I do not believe it is an intentional effect or flaw in what is being taught.  I do believe that mercy and justice needs to be defined and reiterated in a better, more vigorous manner.  For example, the word "mercy" is often linked to other words like love, charity, kindness, forgiveness and selflessness whereas the word "justice" is often linked to words like consequence, punishment and finality.  I believe this is where us Utahns