when they can't pay the minimum balances on them. It could be a lost job, or just over budgeted. Whatever it is, they end up going into collections and owing even more money. This is the very time they may actually need some help and it's the very time that the credit card offers quit coming in. They can't even qualify for one because they are in collections. Been there, done that.

Some will go with a third part debt consolidation company, others will try to wait it out. Either way it's a bad place to be. Their credit score plummets, they can't get loans, etc. In many instances we're talking five years to a decade to recover, and that's if you change and become a responsible spender.

I don't disagree with you. The system is set up to reward those with multiple cards and multiple minimum balances being paid on each month. You are better off to have them and have balances. But as with many things, education is lacking for far too many 20 somethings and just married types looking for "free money." It's a dangerous game for many.