Several national finance experts have become celebrities by telling TV and radio listeners how to stop being foolish with their money.

With each episode, a listener can hear everyday Americans calling in asking for help. On some shows, callers even ask the expert, “Can I afford it?” before presenting the expert host with some large purchase under consideration.

Their stories are often truly sad since people with financial problems tend to have their lives unravel at the pressure provided by the funding woes.

Mostly what they need is a sharp kick in the rear with a boot filled with common sense.

The hosts generally provide some basic advice that generally boils down to: Stop living beyond your means, work harder and get an extra job if needed and start nibbling away at your debts.

The advice is remarkably simple and amazingly effective.

We wish Congress would call into one of the TV shows and take heed of the boot in the rear.

On Monday afternoon, the United States’ federal debt was approximately $15 trillion — give or take a few pennies.

That means each citizen’s share of this debt is approximately $48,000.

The numbers are staggering and our nation seems slow to act in a serious, determined manner to stop borrowing more money and making the debt worse.

Our nation needs serious reforming and our citizens should begin voicing concerns to our representatives. If nothing changes before November, the changes should begin on Election Day.