Got my first store card just after high school. Went into debt using it for apartment stuff with roommates who eventually fucked off with the stuff.

At the same time I ended up with a (thankfully) relatively low limit credit card. That was used helping friends out etc.

I didn’t need these. I had a shitty job but all expenses were covered.

Young and dumb, got caught up in the system.

It took me years to get out from under it with shit credit ratings etc.

Spent time in some shitty situations, with all of my belongings fitting in a rolled up futon (roll it up, duct tape it, go) sleeping on floors.

Crawled my way into apartment rentals where I figured I’d be fine and happy/alone.

Met my future wife, she wanted more. So I did more for her. We eventually both made decent money and no real expenses, living together and moving where the work was. Saved up and put down a deposit and got a mortgage.

Stayed away from all debt minus the mortgage.

Helped out sister and brother at various times, planned for a single child and make sure we could do better for him than was done for us, had a son who’s eventually diagnosed with ASD and finances are again blown away, still staying away from debt.

Accumulating sats, and using fiat (my son’s medical requirements do not allow for anything else, and he comes before my love for BTC)

Stay away from debt as long as possible. It has a price on you/takes a toll other than a dollar amount.