I've decided to get 4 new tires. I was talking to one of the guys I worked with and he advised me not to go with getting just 2 semi cheap tires. Which is true. I really need good tires. And he advised me on what brand I should get.

But, I can't exactly afford 4 brand new tires, so I'm going to end a bit of assistance from Dad. Not a lot, because I should be able to cover almost all of the cost. I told Dad this and then told Mom, because she's worried about me driving to Atlanta. Actually she's freaked about me driving to Atlanta period, much less on iffy tires. (we have boundary issues, I've talked to her before about how her expressing fears about me doing things only makes me doubt myself).

Both of them (but mostly Mom) subltely put on the guilt for my credit card usage. I should be paying it down and not charging, but I have been charging things. I know I should just put it in my cookie jar bank at home and not touch it, but I'm weak at times.

I have one card with a $1500 limit, and yet they make me feel like I'm carrying around several maxed out cards and I can barely make the minimum payments.

Oddly tempting though I'd need to get rid of the alligator.

I have one card with a $1500 limit, and yet they make me feel like I'm carrying around several maxed out cards and I can barely make the minimum payments.

I think the average American has about $8,000 in credit card debt. (I forget where I read that, whether that's mean, median, etc....)

I found a cite here, tommy, that puts the average at $8,562 in 2004.

I don't think there's anything wrong with just getting two tires if two of your tires still have a good amount of tread.

I think the average American has about $8,000 in credit card debt.

I'm so above average it makes me want to cry.

Does this make you feel any better, JZ?

If you are one of the 36% of all cardholders who pay off your entire balance on time each month to avoid finance charges, you may soon be penalized. For Instance GE Rewards MasterCard holders who pay off their balances each month are charged an annual $25 penalty fee. Industry analysts predict that more credit card issuers will follow GE's lead.

You can't win for losing, although I'm pretty sure none of my cards do this.

The back tires just got patched for multiple nail holes.

Also, in the past I've had to deal with replacing 2 tires, then having to replace the third, and worrying about balancing and rotating because one is old. It makes sense to get all new. The tires havea 80,000 mile warranty and the place that was recommended has free balancing, and something else and flat repair for the life of the tire.

I'm an oddity when it comes to credit and credit cards.

This is only my second credit card, I had to get it secured otherwise they wouldn't give me one with such high credit. I didn't have a Beacon score when I went to get my card originally. My parents know my budget is tight and if I could pay down my card the minimum payments would be less.

I think that Mom harbors a secret fear that I'll get manic or depressed and either max out the card, try to get more cards, or just stop paying my bills (I've done that before). Rationally she knows I'm stable and wouldn't do anything like that to sabatoge myself, but after spending so much time seeing me sick and doing irresponsible things it's been hard for her to let go of her fears.

JZ, at least you're above average in many other ways as well. One might even say fabulous. In fact, this one would.

If you are one of the 36% of all cardholders who pay off your entire balance on time each month to avoid finance charges, you may soon be penalized.

Damn. Way to penalize people for being responsible. When my card starts this is when I stop using that card. I'll go to a Visa check card or, gasp, cash before this.