Buzz: It matters where you live and whether you're in debt Maybe you chose your home state because you born there or have family there, or just because you think it's a nice place to live. Or maybe you moved there for a better life. A study out this week from Pew Charitable Trusts finds that where you live matters a lot in terms of whether you can achieve the American Dream of moving up the economic ladder. The study was good news for residents of New York and New Jersey and not as cheery for those who live in Louisiana and South Carolina. About 8,000 readers took our poll on the topic, with about half saying they do think there's a chance to move up the economic ladder where they live. The article also prompted a heated debate about whether things really are so tough in the South, and if so whether politicians and partisan politics are to blame. Some readers argued that economic success boils down to one thing: Hard work. Upward mobility is accorded to people who go after it. Want to work 9 to 5 in your home town, and hang with you high school friends? Forget about upward mobility," one reader wrote. Whether or not you've made it up the economic ladder, chances are at some point you've taken on debt. Another story this week noted that some Americans seem to be taking on more debt again, either by choice or necessity, after cutting back sharply on borrowing over the course of the recession and weak recovery. The monthly increase in debt appeared to mostly be to fund education and new vehicles, but there also was some increase in credit card debt. Still, most readers who took our poll said they just say no when it comes to credit cards. Many readers said they now use credit cards only if they know they'll be able to pay off the balance at the end of the month. Others said they were skipping the plastic to focus on their financial health. Haven't used credit in about a year. Our plan is to pay off debt, including student and car loans, before buying a house or anything else," one reader wrote. Still, with the economy still weak, some readers said they've had no choice but to rely on credit cards. "Still have to borrow from Peter to pay Paul until our income improves to where it used to be before 2005, if that ever happens," one reader wrote.