In a perfect world, we’d never charge anything on our credit cards that we couldn’t pay off immediately.  Well, we all know this is not a perfect world.  Sometimes you have to run a balance.  But that balance for the big ticket item should be for necessities, not for impulse buys or paying off other debt.  Here are five things you should never charge on your credit card, and suggestions of what to do instead:

1. Big-ticket items you WANT but don’t need.  That’s the most obvious one.  You might want a new big screen TV, but it’s not worth going into debt for.
2. To pay off back taxes.  If you sign up for a payment plan with the government, you can end up paying half a percent in interest instead of 20%.
3. College tuition and books.  Student loans are a much better option because the interest rates are a lot lower.
4. Medical bills.  Most doctors and hospitals will work with you to help pay them off.  Sometimes with no interest.
5. To buy stocks or make other investments.