[ghaff]

>The score from what I have gathered when I learn really rewards those who remain in debt and pay substantial interest,

Way back when, getting my first credit card was difficult--although there are a lot more credit options today.

But, at some point, you absolutely do not need to be in debt to have a good credit score. I guess technically, if you use credit cards and pay them off every month without paying any interest, you're in debt all the time but that's not what most people mean by "debt."