It's really sad, Vic, but ever so true. I use my Cabela's card for 99.9% of all my transactions so I can get free stuff (it amuses me). I also pay it in full religiously. My credit score is off the charts and my income is now less than I used to spend dining out.

Today, I received my first Black Signature card. It has no limit. Credit card companies are absolutely predators and I'm thankful that I have enough sense not to take that one too seriously!

I really feel for all the parents trying to teach their kids financial responsibility when even many colleges are into the game.

I have heard that you can't even rent a car without a credit card!

Cindy,

Who would have ever thought that you would be penalized for being a good steward of your money?

Who would have ever thought that operating on a cash basis, which is what our parents taught us, would be detrimental?

-Vic

No kidding. It's almost fashionable to be up to your eyeballs in debt. How are today's parents supposed to explain to the younguns that credit cards are not the answer when a tank of gas will eat their entire paycheck for the week?

It's as if our society is now taught to posture ourselves most advantageously for a future of insurmountable debt!

I have one card I use for most times when I need a credit card. It's from my credit union and has a very low interest rate with a small limit on it. I pay it off monthly.

BUT, I have 5 of those no limit cards in the safe. I take each one out once every three months on a rotating basis and charge something small on them. This keeps them in the mix, if you don't use them they get cancelled.

When the old man was waiting for disability to kick in and he had no medical coverage, these cards saved us. We bought meds, paid doctors, paid the child support, and used them for when we absolutely had to pay a bill or needed groceries.

When his disability kicked in we paid every one of them off and put them away.

I may be careful with credit but I realize the value of having good credit. My FICO is close to the top of the scale and I intend to keep it there, just in case I'm next. I want to be able to tap home equity without any problems, and have money if and when I end up waiting for disability to kick in. I have a disability policy, but after everything I read about people filing for their short and long term disability and being on hold for over a year or the insurance company refusing you after taking your money for so long, it's always good to have a backup!

I use the same system, RW. Also, when I want a big ticket expenditure, I call each one until someone gives me a year of 0% on a transferred balance. Keeps me in cars and computers.