So first- credit score. As the name implies, you are being scored on how you handle CREDIT. Why is this important? One day you will need to borrow money. A prospective lender wants to get an idea of how you pay others so they can be sure you will pay them. It’s that simple. If your boyfriend doesn’t want to get a credit card, then don’t. But instead, he should be putting away A LOT of money into savings because the only way around credit is either paying cash or large down payment. The simple way is to buy small things and pay them back on time (credit). If you are doing that anyway credit will not hurt you. It is not evil. If you are diligent it can be a great tool. A car loan establishes Credit. Buying furniture can establish credit. You can get a secured card with your own money (thus paying yourself back) and establish credit. The choice is yours. Getting a credit card, putting a tank or two of gasoline (that you already buy)- or groceries is not bad. The problem comes when Ppl use it as free money to purchase things they cannot afford. That is where debt comes in. So ask your boyfriend, is he afraid he doesn’t have the willpower to not buy things you can’t afford, or does he want to use it as a tool to help you get somewhere? Because you can get credit and use it responsibly.