justin: Nice move with the finances. I have thought about doing that myself, though I’m not sure how I could get that amount from the credit card companies.

As for your averages, I think you’re playing with fire. BUT respect your decision.

As for averages, our household has over 40K in CC debt, all at 0% and all the money is sitting in a HY savings account. How do you like them averages?

I bank with Wachovia and they were nothing but helpful, understanding, and did every thing they could to return me my money as soon as they could.

I agree about writing you pin on your card. Hey, we agreed

Deamiter – An average is an average, regardless of whether some have none and other have a lot. It’s not to imply that everyone has $9,000 in debt, but it is an average. I do agree though, it is far too high. These surveys are always very iffy too, as the one’s that quote the lower averages and sponsored by card companies, and the others that skew the other way are sponsored by anti-credit organizations. $8,000 – $9,000 average is a common stat though across many different surveys.

Thanks to both of you for your thorough and thoughtful comments. It really adds value to my article and hopefully people who find this site will get some great value out it!

I actually had a credit card stolen before and didn’t realize it until 2 days later. By then the card was half-way across the country and had $1,200 charged on it. I called the credit card company and they removed the charges almost instantly. Didn’t even have to pay the $50 liability. No way a bank does that with your account. You might get it back eventually, but it will take a significant period of time and a lot of work on your part. I used to audit banks and based on my experience, they will be hesitant as they will initially think you are running your own scam. They will also demand every document you have, as proof you aren’t scamming them.

Oh, and if you (meaning anyone) do write your pin number on your card, you deserve to have your money stolen.

glblguy — be careful citing $9000 dollars in credit card debt per person. Not only is the number per family, and only families with credit cards (80 million by the common cardweb’s calculation), citing an average ignores the fact that over 50% of American households either carry no credit cards (23%) or paid off their latest balance in full (32% as of the stats I saw). Those few that carry huge balances skew the averages and the other details of the stats make it sound much worse than it really is (though I agree, it’s still MUCH too high!)

Point 1) True – but how many people really do this? 2) I completely agree with you. The scary thing is how many people really have this problem. Average debt in America per person is $8,000 – $9,000 and rising.

Regarding self-reliance, Lynnae addressed a similar concern raised in an earlier comment. I’m sure she’ll want to weigh in on this further.

Remember, what is right and smart for some isn’t always right and smart for others. Smart is a very gray thing. Smarter is what works best for me. Sounds like you are in a different situation than myself, and thus Smarter is different for you.

A debit card functions in the same way as a credit card, but you are liable for any money charged to your account if it (debit card) is stolen. It does not fall under the $50 limit liability provided by law for credit cards. Thus, every time you use your debit card you risk losing whatever is in your bank account. You are only liable up to $50 on your credit card and most don’t make you pay that. Using a credit card isn’t easier it is smarter than using a debit card.

You said, “Why risk the chance of not being able to pay it off in 3-4 weeks when you can pay it off now?” – Two issues with this: 1) you can pay your credit card of instantly by going on-line and paying it from your account, 2) if you can’t save the money you already have labeled as savings for 3-4 weeks, you have a much larger problem than $300.

Concerning god’s work and to be clearer: The post suggests, though not in a direct way, that self-reliance is inappropriate. All I’m saying is that being self-reliant is a virtue, not a negative. Sitting on your couch and saying god will provide is foolish. Saving up an emergency fund and using your credit card appropriately is self-reliant and worth your time.

You said: “A really bad idea is to blindly hope something will be placed in your lap.”

I agree.

You said: “Wouldn’t it be easier and quicker to buy the $300 ticket with the credit card and then pay it off in 3-4 weeks when the bill is due? You aren’t in debt, you have the money, and you just made your life easier and got to your destination quicker and with less hassle.”

How is using a card card easier and quicker than using a debit card? If you have the money, why risk the chance of not being able to pay it off in 3-4 weeks when you can pay it off now?

You said: “if god works through you or anyone, then wouldn’t your actions be gods work? So, why is self-reliance wrong? This post doesn’t make a lot of sense.”

Your kidding right? So if someone kills someone, that is God’s work? God does indeed work through you, but He does not control everything you do. We are given the choice to do what we will. God works through us through our spirit and conscience. We can choose to ignore that.