The Debt Crises

This article the NYT tries to understand why Americans keep getting into so much debt.
Being from a foreign country, I didn't really understand the actual nature of American consumerism. America was 10000 miles away and all I knew was Americans wanted and always got bigger things- cars, houses, property. You name it, they had it and more!
Five years ago when I came to grad school on a instate tuition and an assistantship, I was making enough to qualify myself in a 'low income' tax bracket. I was so sure of making it on my own, that I didn't allow my parents (who are gloriously wealthy, even by really wealthy American standards) to pay for any of my expenses. I remember borrowing $8 to pay for winter shoes from Payless (being from a tropical country, I never thought I would need those). I even remember a low point of having only $30 in my pocket to tide me over a month after having paid off the rent, utilities etc.
Then I got sucked into credit cards. Back home, my cards were being paid off by daddy. I didn't know anything about rates, APR or what have you. Any expenses were automatically charged to my dad's account, no questions asked. I applied for and got 3 credit cards- a visa, a master card and an student amex. The limits were modest- 2k on the visa and MC and a 1500 limit on the amex.
Naturally, that helped me become more upworldly. It felt like I could with a bit of planning, be used to the lifestyle I was accustomed to back home. I used my credit card to plan a week long trip to NYC for Christmas, to plan eating out several nights a week with friends, to go shopping whenever I wanted, I was grocery shopping once a week, buying perishables I didn't eat and consequently throwing them away. I got rid of a roommate, decided I couldnt live with strangers and lived alone in an on campus apartment paying 650 a month in rent. My dad wired me money on 'special' occasions like birthdays, summer holidays etc. I would pay off some of my credit card debt by paying the minimum monthly (listening to bad advice from a friend who was having debt problems herself) and thought I was in a good situation financially.
Till I graduated and then calculated my earnings and expenses- I owed my father (from whom I was trying desperately to be independant) about $25,000 from all the times he lovingly and unquestioningly bailed me out. I owed more than $8000 on credit cards. And I had no job yet!
Luckily I met the man of my dreams, with whose help, I was able to pay off almost all of my credit card debt. We now rent an apartment and have paid fully for a second hand car. I have paid for all of the furniture I own and I pay for all the utilities I use. And I have some savings and CD's. My dad still tries to give me cash for gifts although I have made it clear it is not a necessity. Of course, I do still like to enjoy my life. My parents planned a family vacation in W.Europe last fall and every dime of the trip was paid for by them( I could have never afforded it on my current salary). My dad and I talked about my finances and I guess he is proud that I am trying to live modestly, instead of becoming like one of those 'poor little rich girls'.
In a way, I am secure, because I know my sister and I have a large safety net. But does it make me want to go out and buy an expensive house in an expensive neighborhood and drive an expensive car ?? I am glad I have enough sense to say NO.