The bit about needing credit card debt to build your credit score is not entirely true. There are a lot of other factors that go into a credit score.

I recently looked up mine and was amazed it's pretty high, even though I never use my credit card and very rarely use my line of credit. It seems just having the same account for a long time and always paying bills on time is enough. And with a debit card you get the convenience of a rectangle made of dead dinosaurs without borrowing money constantly.

Huh, I only charge things that I have the cash to pay for by the next billing cycle. Easy, and the cash back actually works for me. I don't understand using a credit card at 25% interest as a long-term financing prospect, especially when you can get a loan at 4%.

The credit card companies get 2-4% of every single purchase made with every single card. They really couldn't give a shit if some pay on time, and others keep a balance. The consumer end of the equation is peanuts. That's why, if you ask, they'll lock your card for a few months and not charge interest while you pay it down.

Recently, they've changed it so they charge 2-4% for refunds as well. So if you buy something for $100, Visa holds onto $3. If you come back and get your money back, Visa holds onto ANOTHER $3. So your favourite store just got reamed for $6, with no actual purchase being final.

I don't have any beefs with my credit card - I just don't like how having a decent credit rating is basically forced on society to get - a job (in some cases like my job working at a software company), to rent a home to sleep in (instead of your friends couch or the street). They got your balls on this - real "free" Amerikkka, real free....