A debt-free life
In today's rocky economy, people are getting in trouble with credit card debt.
Joe Paretta wants to help ease that burden.The Jim Thorpe resident recently wrote a book entitled "Master The Card: Say Goodbye to Credit Card Debt...Forever," which outlines simple ways to change your thinking about credit card debt and help you get out from under the credit card companies' thumbs."I wrote the book because I know it can help literally thousands of people who are mired in credit card debt," Paretta said. "For a number of years, I had several thousand dollars of credit card debt and I know what people are going through."Paretta uses his own experiences and feelings about when he was in debt as a way to relate to the reader and motivate them to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Debt is not forever, as long as you believe you can overcome it."What makes my book different from others on this topic is that it has 'personality,'" Paretta said. "The reader will feel as though we are having a conversation as he or she goes through the book. It is informal, which facilitates the encouragement and motivation. Also, I get across that debt is as much psychological and emotional as it is financial. Debt is a habit and it can be broken and replaced."The book is written as both an instructional guide, as well as a workbook, in that there are blank pages at the end of each chapter for you to jot down notes.It begins by Paretta talking about the feelings people experience when they are in debt. Those feelings include frustration, anger, and depression.As the chapters continue, readers will see that facing debt head on is the only way to break the financial chains and end the problem.Paretta does a brilliant job outlining the ways to get out from under debt. Each chapter clearly explains what needs to be done in order to live a debt free life.The book overall is well-written and easy to follow, with short chapters that make for a quick read.Paretta also points out that the book has many light-hearted moments to help break the seriousness of the matter."While it is a 'serious' topic, I want people to realize that credit card debt is not a 'death sentence,'" he said. "It is a temporary situation, one which they can now overcome because they are armed with the knowledge and techniques provided in the book."Paretta currently resides with his wife, Jessica, in Jim Thorpe. The couple purchased their home three years ago as a reward for "divesting ourselves from credit card debt." Prior to the move to Jim Thorpe, he resided in Long Island, N.Y.Paretta earned a bachelor's and master's degree from Hofstra University, and has been a college professor for 15 years. He currently teaches at both Lafayette College and Moravian College.In addition to being a college professor and published author, Paretta is also working to become a motivational and professional speaker, and hopes to one day become a sports play-by-play announcer.Paretta's "Master The Card: Say Goodbye to Credit Card Debt...Forever," which is published by Balboa Press, can be purchased online at a number of websites including,