I was close to $50k in credit card debt at one point. I take home less than that per year. It was all 0% interest ranging in pay off periods of 12-24 months, and I'm at the last little bit to pay off. Never paid any interest. I consider myself a trustworthy person. Not saying whether I trust him or not, just saying if I didn't, it wouldn't be because of his debt.
With all of the credit card offers these days, and a credit card culture, if you have the income or the savings, it makes more sense to rack up credit card debt rather than throw down hard cash, until you have to. With that amount, even if you put it in a CD or high yields savings earning over 2%, the interest you earn is no chump change.