eschew debt
 

I guess I am doing better than avg in my class in financial assests, I believe my "secret" is to keep the debt burden low, now less than 10% (payments/net inc), all in a 15-yr fixed-rate mortgage.

I am the one in the househould always wanting to build financial assets, hoping to have a comfortable retirement and cushion to weather any career changes, while my wife wants to spend now; ergo I control the bulk of the cash flow. She'll occasionally mention friends of her family who fastidiously saved throughout their career, and the husband died of a heart attack soon after their dream retirement began.

With regard to credit card debt
 

Keep in mind that the figures for credit card debt include whatever balance you might have in a given month, even if you pay it off. Meaning - I charge $3k to $4k every month on my credit card. Even though I pay the balance in full, my reported credit card debt would be $3k - $4k.