If a purchase requires you to borrow money, seriously ask yourself if you need to make the purchase. Could you (the royal you) buy a cheaper car, borrowing less or paying cash? Could you sustain another year in your current living situation?

The problem with debt-financed purchasing is that while it expands short-term options if not managed properly it can severely limit long-term options.

I think most people need to borrow money to buy a property or start a business.

You don't need a credit score if you can pay 50% down, which you may be able to do if you didn't pay all your money to the credit card companies.

My credit card company paid $800 towards the airfare of my recent trip to Oz thanks to reward points.

I pay my card off multiple times per month. They don't get a chance to charge me interest.

(Just checked and I have $300 worth of points waiting to be spent on travel. That's my upcoming Boston trip covered.)

I've never paid a dime to my credit card companies.