<human>: I just read "The Total Money Makeover" after getting several recommendations from friends and deciding that I need to be more intentional with my financial planning. I loved it, it's been the most practical info on financial planning that I've read. He changed my mind on car leasing, retirement savings, and woke me up to the power of a well managed income (even if that income is average or below average). That said, I'm not sold on his idea that "You should never open a credit card".

I understand the book is geared towards people with debt and people who have a hard time living within their means. He's right to say they shouldn't. But here's all I can gather for his justification for this policy otherwise:

1. "When you play with snakes, you get bitten". Essentially, all it takes is a small balance for the credit card interest and penalties to outweigh benefits.

2. "According to a study, 47% of people spent more at McDonalds on a card than they would have if they payed cash". So you end up paying more on a card because it's less painful (although this study alone in no way fully supports that conclusion)

3. "69% of bankruptcy filers do so because of credit card debt. Broke people use credit cards, rich people don't". So credit cards are a major contributor to financial disaster.

I get all this. But it only justifies: "Credit cards can do really horrible things to your finances if you use them poorly". These justifications don't support "Credit Cards are bad, don't ever use them, rich people don't". I've never opened a credit card and would like to now (looking at Discover IT). I have a solid budget, no debt, and a 3 month emergency fund. I have never been late on rent or any other major payment. I have budgeted for credit card use (groceries, gas, home goods) and will pay off my balance every month on time (and don't give me the "how do you REALLY know that maaan" argument). How can a professional financial planner justify telling me to not take advantage of 1% to 5% off on EVERYTHING I buy?

Can you give me the gist of the text in a nutshell?
<bot>: I want to open a credit card, Ramsey's got me questioning that decision and I want to see if anyone can justify his "no credit card policy"