<prompt> Human: Hi PF,I just wanted to give you guys some thanks.A year and a half ago I got my first post-Masters job. It was really exciting for me. Like a lot of new grads who work in the cultureartsheritage sector it was contract but well paying. No benefits, of course, because museum jobs tend to dole out benefits like self-fulfillment and noontime educational talks! and free pass to other museums and not things like, say, dental.Over Christmas I had to take some unpaid leave to travel home to see my parents. Mom wanted me to see a dentist since its been two years and, lo and behold, an old filling had a lurking cavity that would require a root canal.1300 work of exams, x-rays, filings and a two-root procedure later Im still alive. I paid for everything on debit and I have more than enough money to make it to the next paycheque. I even have enough money in my account today that I could pay my February rent tomorrow. It obviously sucks - I have a lot of things Im saving for right now and wiping 1300 out of my savings account hurt my heart something fierce. Especially after losing a paycheque to unpaid holiday leave, flights, and christmas costs.But I was able to do it and not go into debt for a shitty bicuspid.Thanks guys.EDIT: WHY DIDNT YOU USE CREDIT CARDS?Because in the process of learning to live within my means and not overspend Ive had to curtail my credit card usage. I recognize that theyre a weakness for me and very tempting to abuse and therefore I dont have cards with rewards. Once I learn to use them responsibly I can use them again but in the mean time its not worth 13-26 back. I only use my credit card for true emergencies and flights. And things that wont allow you to pay any other way because theyre a piece of shit like the Rogers Wireless website.Assistant: Everyone seems to be killing you for not using a credit card or Im missing the sarcasm, which IMO I wouldve too, but theyre missing the point that you were trying to make. Good on you for having money saved to cover this cost!Whether you lost out on 13 or 26 is minimal. The principle is you had the money to cover the cost and that is a HUGE plus! PS--look into Citi Double Cash Card, I just cashed in 500 and used that to put into my IRA for 2015 ;Human: Thanks pal!When Ive learned to be a responsible credit-card holder Ill look into it. I do live in Canada so Im not sure if I can get a Citi card - our options are usually less appealing than American choices so we typically get stuck with the big cards: mastercard, visa, american express ha!, mbna.  <response>: Good job understanding your limitations. Dont get too caught up in all these You could have made 13 in rewards! posts. These are your finances and you know yourself. Keep it up, remember the positive things youve learned in PF and ignore the negative folks. 