>>Making late payments has a bigger impact on your credit rating than carrying a large balance.
>
>I think that's what it was.


I am sure Craig is right. I am not a rich guy but my credit score is through the roof and I'm sure most of it is due to paying bills on time. When I bought this house my mortgage broker, a showstopper from Belarus, said it was the highest credit score she had ever seen. Of course the ultra-rich don't need mortgages at all, they just buy it, but still. A little over 900. Pay your bills on time and yours will be the same.

I do remember what it's like to be young, relatively penniless, and on the way up. Those were the days.