According to Credit Karma’s CEO, Ken Lin, 2009 has been a momentous year for credit issues – and I have to agree with him. Suddenly, frugality became cool, overspending was out, and consumers put more emphasis on savings and paying down their outstanding debt. Creditors hiked interest rates on credit cards, slashed credit limits, and raised minimum payments. As a result, legislators stepped in with the CARD Act and enacted new rules to govern credit card companies and supposedly protect consumers. Consumers became more diligent in shopping around for the best credit card deals, rather than accepting negative changes to their credit lines and home buyers were encouraged to take advantage of a $8000 first-time home buyer tax credit, even in the midst of a damaged housing market. Yeah, it was a momentous year.

1. Credit card companies charge for not using credit cards regularly, even if you carry a balance. In January, Chase began charging $10 a month to 400,000 customers who have large balances but li