CardWeb reported that in the last year, the average size of credit card transaction tops $100 for the first time. 2003's average of $101.64 is 1.9% higher than last year's $99.76 and represents 16% increase in 10 years.

Out of curiosity, I tabulated my numbers in the last three years from my Microsoft Money file:

2002: 244 transactions for a total of $8,849.31, average = $36.27
2003: 516 transactions for a total of $26,235.60, average = $50.84
2004 Year-To-Date: 622 transactions for a total of $24,301.64, average = $39.07

For the record, my 2002 absolute charge amount is much lower because I started my life with credit card in the middle of that year. Also, my 2003 per-transaction charge is inflated due to a number of big-ticket items associated with my first house.

Anyway, I have almost no way to match the $100-some average by my fellow credit card users. Am I living poor to most of Americans or am I a master cheapskate?

CardWeb answered my question by commeting in the same report that "[t]he increase in credit card ticket size is clearly related to the sharp rise in debit card transactions which siphon off smaller transactions. The average off-line debit purchase transaction is currently $39.78."

Well, I am not a fan of debit cards -- the last time I used a debit card is in April, just before I got an American Express card to pay at Costco, which does not accept Visa or Mastercard. I strongly advocate all people with financial discipline to use credit card as the major payment channel for more rewards and more protection.