Tell me what big purchases, and what people mean by deal?  I cant think of a single time I've gotten a better price by paying cash out side of Spec's Liquor which give an discount at the checkout for cash/debit vs. credit.      

My last two trucks ('06 & '07 Duramaxs) I have paid cash money for.  (different dealers) but on one they actually wanted to jack the price up since I was paying cash because they werent going to make backend interest. 

My small Featherlite the price was what it was they didnt care how I paid. 

My Big Dumb Ass trailer, paid cash as well but that was more haggling, the dude didnt care how I paid.

Same with my big Featherlite, Nolen named the price, I haggled. 

Any home appliances, furniture or electronics I've bought over the years, there were no better deals for paying cash. 

Even the huge wad I just spent on a Torchmate, no better deal if I paid cash. 

I ask all the time if its a better deal if I pay cash

Only time I felt like I got a better deal was on crap I buy used off of here Pirate, or some of the hotrod **** I do, and thats face to face, and has nothing to do with cash as much to do with just haggling deals that were only going to get done in cash as you wont be accepting a check from some dude you dont know from Adam. 

I think Ramsey has some good principles.  I myself only have two debts right now.  My house and my wifes Tahoe.  I had to finance her tahoe in her name to build her credit, it was **** when we got married and hurt mine to the point I couldnt get a home loan with her on the mortgage.  So its all on me.  I pay for as much as I can with my American Express, if they dont take AmEx I pay cash.  I pay it off monthly, unless I have something huge on there and I may carry a balance. 

The past three years my wife and I have been able to take IMO very extravagant vacations on AmEx points alone. 

I think where it comes into money management is that a credit card is like Vegas Poker chips to people, i.e. NOT REAL MONEY, RIGHT THEN.  You still have to be frugal, watch what you are buying.  Ask yourself do you really need that, do you really need that right now?  And If I really need it right now, where can I get it cheapest?  At this store, another store, online? 

 Every person, every family, every situation is different.  You have to one be smart enough to research different budgeting strategies, and two be smart enough to understand where that money comes from. 

Hell I have to take the wife out tonight for date night.  And I know its going to cost me 3-4 hours worth of work to pay for it.  Thats how I look at ****.  Its also why I havent built or bought another offroad car.