[poundwise]

I find that most people who turn to credit cards as a emergency source of funds; saying "I had to..." actually did 'have to' but only because they had not managed their money properly beforehand.

Yes, if you do not save any money and etc. you will very likely end up in a situation where you need something (even genuinely) and have no good way to get it other than borrowing money one way or another; often, a poor choice ensues.