What's so great about credit?

I am currently reading Dave Ramsey's book The Total Money Makeover, and in an introductory section dispelling myths about debt, he really struck a chord with me. The discussion is in regards to the myth that having a credit card is necessary for building credit. Dave has this to say:

The best myth is the "build your credit" myth. Bankers, car dealers, and unknowledgeable mortage lenders have told America for years to "build your credit." This myth means we have to get debt so we can get more debt because debt is how we get stuff.

He continues to say that the one thing that may be worthy of having good credit for is getting a good mortgage. However, he says that with a properly underwritten mortgage, you can get credit based on factors like: Rental history, length of employment, a considerable down-payment, HAVING NO CREDIT AT ALL, or taking out a loan that is not too outlandish in size.

If only I could go back in time. How I would love to be a non-existent entity in the all-seeing eyes of the pigdog bureaus! Sure, the Social Security Administration would still know who I was, but reading that passage makes me hope some day to be dead in the eyes of the likes of Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax.

I don't think I could ever be wiped from those databases, knowing how they are, but the idea of having a dusty and cob-webbed record is extremely appealing to me.

As the hours have passed since reading that passage I am growing into the passionate and firm belief that credit in any form is bad. I don't care what my FICO score is. I no longer believe that it is a status symbol or sign of adulthood. Financial status is owning (with no measurable percent of it belonging to the bank) every item in your home or apartment, no matter how spartan it may appear. Financial status is walking up to a car dealership and driving away in something you will never make a payment on. A high FICO score is just a mark on the pier showing how much deeper in the red waters you can get.

In these passionate moments I feel as though I'd rather walk, starve, and shiver than swipe a credit card again.

A revisited plan:

1. Build up a $1000 emergency savings fund.

2. Get health insurance.

3. Have my smallest debt settled before October.

4. Reduce the amount I drive and spend money on dining out by 80%.

I'll leave it at the short-term for now. I'm sure there will be more revisions by the time I finish Dave's book. In the meantime, I wear the headband and tighten the belt.

Here's a real one.

I find it's very difficult to wrangle the thoughts, ideas, and emotions that I've been having concerning my situation, and the situation of the country as well. On the small scale, I cannot stand to be in debt any longer. I vehemently loathe owing money. I have decided to wage pseudo-militant guerrilla warfare on my financial standing, and my debt is the ace of spades. I am inspired by Dave Ramsey's seven baby steps. Here's the overview of my plan:

Phase one: DECLARE WAR - Reduce the need for debt. Right. Now.
*Cut expenses by ridiculously strict amounts. Easier said than done, but the idea is to do it only for a short period. My goal is a month, however I will consider it successful at 3 weeks. I mainly intend on cutting dining spending by 80%.
*Increase the income. Sell what I can (Those Nikes, Marquee letters, old VHS tapes, old game systems). Save what recycling I can. Save coins and wrap them. Make myself available to work more hours at my second job. Find odd jobs (i.e. Helping my coworker's mother in law pay her bills for $15 an hour). Call friends that owe me money and tell them to pay up. Do. Anything.
*Meet minimum payments to my creditors, plus $10.
*Save $1,000.

Phase two: RALLY THE TROOPS
*Inform family and friends. I'm proud of the cause, and I know they will support it and possibly join as well.
*Lock in to a budget. Delegate every penny of income to a destination envelope and do not deviate (switch to envelope system?)

Phase three: START SHOOTING
*Pay off smallest debts first.
*As smaller debts are paid off, combine thier payments to the payments on remaining debts. Continue until you have the Pigdog's head on a pole.

Phase four: REBUILD
* Stay locked into budget for one month and put all moneys that *were* being paid to creditors into savings.

Phase five: PREVENT RETALIATORY COUPS
*Destroy all new applications. NEVER open the envelope.