[Miz Pat]

That is a good thought on the credit card, but I should have explained that I use the credit card for items budgeted that I would normally pay cash for:
Groceries, gasoline, automotive and house repair items, vitamins, doctor visits and perscription drugs. Since these are budgeted items for the most part (I don't put on things that I don't have a balance to pay for in my checking - I make a hold in checking for every transaction), I'm using the card as a means of paying bills efficiently. I admit to small sins - bookstores, starbucks frappachinos, but even those I mark in the check book, so when the credit card comes in, I have corresponding holds for the lion's share of the card.

My other card, the one with lower interest from MBNA, is the one I would put wild thoughtless stupid purchases on, i.e. ones that I don't have money for right now and didn't save for.

So as long as I exercise discipline in how I use the card, it can be a valuable and profitable tool. Once I screw up on that discipline - I'm doomed.

Pat