Aren't credit cards stupid? Why do we use them? It's not a big deal if I don't, right?

Credit cards don't kill people's finances, people do. A credit card is a wonderful tool if it is used properly. The problem isn't the card, it's the lack of understanding by the person with the card and / or their misuse of the card. I use cards routinely for things like gasoline and traveling expenses. It keeps me from carrying cash and gives me a bit of security (if someone gets your debit card, they can clean out your account, you can challenge credit card fraud). I am also using credit at the moment for a bedroom set my wife wanted. 36 months same as cash. I could have paid cash for this, however this allows me to keep the cash in the bank longer and gain what interest I can. That's a benefit to me.

This is exactly what Dave Ramsey preaches in The Total Money Makeover. I had gotten into a lot of trouble with my credit cards in college. At 28, I am proud to say that I have absolutely no credit card debt. I'm now striving to pay off my car payments and mortgage early. I vow to be completely debt free (including my mortgage) in about ten years. I strongly suggest that you read Dave Ramsey's book. Don't let anyone fool you that you need credit cards to get a good credit score. Best of luck!

I use them for emergencys. Like one time I needed it for a hospital bill. They do serve a purpose for people who can manage their money.

if you never get a credit card and use it responsibly, it will be hard for you to get a car loan or mortgage later in life. no one says you should ABUSE it - use it responsibly - for emergencies and for helping build a credit history = keep the balance under 30% of your limit and pay off the balance every month and you'll be fine

You are enlightened. I'm glad that you have enough common sense to survive in the world.

having/getting a credit card is the only way i know ill be able to pay a premium subscription for SpeedDate on facebook and talk to this girl i saw on there! then again theres debit thats true but other than that i agree they are nonsense

A credit card is indeed a potential hell hole. For most people, using a credit card is about borrowing against the future, spending money they don't have. Credit cards empower people, make them feel better, give them a sense of abundance, entitlement, etc. Then, when the bill comes due and the credit card company has them by the throat, they are angry at the credit card company instead of themselves. Spending money we don't have is PRECISELY what got the country into the mess it is in right now. And what does the Mighty All-Knowing Obama propose: spend MORE money we don't have to fix the problem of all the spending of money we didn't have. Explain the logic there. Responsible people only spend money they have. They budget and control their money, lest their money control them. With debit cards as widely available as they are today, there's no real reason to use a credit card. Even car rental companies accept debit cards these days. If you don't use credit cards, it is a big deal. It's a very big deal because it is a huge mark of your fiscal responsibility. It is unfortunate that more people don't see this as clearly as you do.

You will go much farther than those friends of yours who do wind up relying on "plastic". Without a pile of debt sitting behind you, you will be able to show fiscal responsibility, and prudence. When it is time for you to go for credit for things such as houses and cars, you will be able to say that you have avoided the trap that plastic creates. I gave up plastic a number of years ago, and only owe on 1 (used) car and our house, to the tune of about 60K for both. I too, love Dave Ramsey!