Credit cards are all evil. Sometimes, like in Dogs case, they are a needed evil. The real symptom of credit card use being out of control is when they are a necessary part of monthly life.
If the credit card is being used because the cash just is not there then there is a pretty big problem.
Working in the insurance industry I deal with folks every day involving their money. I am starting to think the average American has a mortgage, two car payments, and 20k in credit card debt. I am starting to think the average American has less than 1 months bills in the bank in cash.
I have absolutely no data to support the above it just seems that way.
If I am remotely close in my assumptions, the sky is falling. The last two Secretaries of the Treasury keep saying we need to help banks get back to lending again.
NO!!!! Please stop lending!!!!!!!!!! Mr. banker.
It appears the entire economic wealth of our nation involves debt. "Consumer spending went up 1% last month" types of statements make me cringe if the bulk of the went up part was on plastic. That really means consumer debt went up another %.
I encourage all to pay them off one at a time to the point where it hurts to get it done. They will drain you dry. You will never get ahead with them weighing you down.
/end of rant