just find something that works for you, and stick with it. i'm a ways away from being debt free----big mortgage, two big car payments, large education debt, large monthly disability/life/auto/home insurance policies, and tons of other things. we have 3-4 credit cards, but they get paid off monthly, and get tons of perks from them. whatever you do, you want to start saving/investing at an early age. 401k, roth IRA's, and 529 plans for kids---we've got them all maxxed out.