Changing values

How these families are changing how they live.

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The Parish Family
The Parish Family
Michael and Paula with Alexandra, 6, and Nicholas, 2
City: San Jose

Professions: IT consultant, financial services manager

What's changed: After Michael was laid off last year (he now earns the same income as a consultant), the Parishes doubled their credit card payments to lower their balances and banned new purchases on plastic. Says Paula: "We'll never be complacent about debt again."
NEXT: The Stephenson Family
Last updated May 04 2009: 9:24 AM ET
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