And don't forget... it's a system designed to help make decisions on giving you more debt.

 

It's not a statement of how good you are with money.

 

It's designed to determine whether or not you're likely to pay them back, and if you can handle more debt in addition to what you already owe.

 

Once you get yourself to a place where you don't need loans (even for 3-6 month "free" financing for things like tires, etc.), then put away 4-6 months of expenses in savings.  Live like that, and save for future purchases (car, roof, AC, etc...) and there's no more need for credit cards or to borrow to pay for anything.

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