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.

I would happily take a $25 annual penalty fee over the ridiculous monthly interest I'm currently paying. And I've actually managed to finagle my way around to not paying more than 9% on any of my cards, with most of them around 4-5%, and still the penalty fee would be preferable.

Still galling, though, to the people who've actually managed to be responsible and grown-up. Fucking CC companies.

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.

Pete is going to be PISSED.

I'm pissed too, or I will be if First USA does that.

I ran up a huge credit card debt after college. Way over average. It's just getting paid off next month. And if I get a major car problem in the next few months, before I can get a bit of a cushion, it'll get a balance again. I'm hoping to avoid that.

No one's ever given me enough credit to get above average in credit card debt.

Probably a good thing.

Aw, askye, that's so hard to deal with on so many levels: the illness, the responsibility/grown-up issues, the parental fear. But I'm reminded again of how much incredibly difficult stuff you've worked your way through in the last few years. You're up on my Big Damn Hero shelf right next to vw.

It's just getting paid off next month.

Congrats, Calli! That's got to be an amazing feeling.

I may finally be getting mine down in the next couple of years -- my grandfather's estate is still being worked through, but it looks like there will be small inheritances for all his grandchildren. Mine won't quite wipe out my debt, but it'll get it down to a tiny, manageable, cosolidate-it-and-clear-it-away-in-a-year level. Which is such a huge gift, and a blessing, and is going to make the next few years of lifebuilding and familybuilding with Hec much less panic-stricken.

I still wish to goodness I hadn't been so stupid with the cards as to need to use my Cappy's inheritance, but still, it's a blessing.