"The economy is BAD... people are STRUGGLING... there is no money and people have stopped spending.. we are in trouble... "

Codswallop.

ABS: Full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings  :$1,393.

I am financially secure, and do not depend on any government welfare, purely because many years ago I planned, and saved, for my retirement.

"Credit is not a bad thing if you budget well"

If you budget well you would not require credit (card) other than to use it for a short term buffer and/or a means to avoid carrying too much cash, and certainly never to reach the point of paying interest.