A debit card is a pipeline straight into your checking account, with few if any stop-loss restrictions. This may be changing as I've not stayed on the issue.

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The best credit card is one from a reputable credit union which is owned by its members (depositors). Get one. I've finally initiated a transfer to a local CU after finding that residency in my county was sufficent for membership.

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As for payments -- I pay all day-to-day expenses cash, bills with checks (the two horrors of electronic billpay are guaranteed payment and discontinuing service). To the extent I can, big-ticket items are paid cash or check as well, though I'll CC a few and pay balance.

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Mainstream, megabank, unsecured consumer credit: yes, it's the hell you think it is. I've worked inside it. Twice. Run, don't walk.