yeah, debts never go away, they just cant really do shit to you except garnish your wages for a certain %. though bill collectors do give up on you. so maybe in a way you escaped paying back the money, but your credit is shot for life. moral of the story, toss your credit cards away if you cant pay your bills in full each month. i learned that shit in the 90s, i was having too much fun in my twenties and figured i would just pay it off in my 30s. if it was just the money i spent that wouldnt have been a problem, the interest is what always fucks you.