It's better to just cut the credit cards before you even get started. Everyone's heard it - the companies hate deadbeats, but they refer to people that pay off their purchases promptly as deadbeats. They LOVE "revolvers" or people that leave balances on the darn things because it means they can keep gouging with interest. The horrible thing about credit is that you can't get credit until you have credit, and you won't get it until you have it, and unfortunately those darn things are how most people get started. Furthermore, they also used the lobby system to get their buddies in congress to pass laws making it harder to declare bankruptcy and discharge the debt and start over. It's honestly better to never get one of the plastic devils in the first place. A loan shark you can rat out to the police, credit card companies get a Congressional bailout! They have a use, and the best one is to make small purchases that you pay off immediately - ignore every ad you see on TV, flip the bird if necessary to high end retail stores. Don't let them get their hooks in you, you will be better off.