TY - JOUR T1 - What the Dickens? JF - British Journal of General Practice JO - Br J Gen Pract SP - 221 LP - 221 DO - 10.3399/bjgp10X483706 VL - 60 IS - 572 AU - Max Inwood Y1 - 2010/03/01 UR - http://bjgp.org/content/60/572/221.abstract N2 - Mr Micawber had it right when he said: ‘Income 20 shillings, expenditure 19 shillings and sixpence is happiness. Income 20 shillings, expenditure 20 shillings and sixpence is misery.’ It is, of course, reasonable to spend money that we do not immediately have by borrowing to invest in a carefully planned project such as a house to live in or a factory to produce wealth. That is what banks or governments used to do. However, funding a lifestyle on credit is ruinous and only puts off and deepens the inevitable reversal.Living within one's means is important for a … ER -