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Só um início de outro artigo, para dar uma ideia da situação do crédito associado aos cartões de crédito, nos USA...

O endereço do artigo completo é:
http://www.fool.com/news/commentary/2004/commentary040518dy.htm

Dump Your Duds
Life is messy. Your credit card bills don't have to be. With the average American household hauling around nearly 17 cards, it's no wonder that we suffer from bill-paying anxiety. It's time to take a hard look at what's in your wallet. Dayana Yochim offers a cure for credit card complications by showing you when to hold 'em, and when to fold 'em.

By Dayana Yochim (TMF School)
May 18, 2004

Life is complicated. Managing your credit cards shouldn't be.


It's not just because of the trouble people get into when they have too many cards to count. Quite simply, if you rarely or never carry any credit card debt, credit is one area of finances that should be effortless.


With 1.2 billion credit cards in circulation in the hands of 190 million Americans (more than 80% of U.S. households have one), credit has become anything but simple. The average card-carrying citizen has nearly eight cards crammed in a wallet, according to Cardweb.com. That's about six too many in my opinion.

I don't see a public movement toward credit card minimalism, either. The power of plastic is strong and getting stronger. Cardweb.com estimates that by 2006, 30% of personal consumption expenditures will be made on credit and debit cards. (Today, about 24% is.) Our borrowing might is gaining momentum: The average credit line has spiked to $3,500 from $1,800 in 1992. There's nearly $2 trillion in unused credit in our names awaiting temptation to strike.