I just refinanced my house. My three credit scores were all over 815. Aside from my mortgage, my total debt at this moment is $550 (On an interest free credit card promotion). You don't have to be in debt to have a good credit score. And you don't have to run up a balance on a credit card. Not to say everyone should have one but things aren't as negative as some people seem to make them... FWIW I've never heard of anyone getting a mortgage with no credit history, and I have seen them get turned down due to no credit history. If that's not important to you, great. But saying anyone with a good credit score is "good at being in debt" simply isn't true.