> Unless you're taking out a mortgage tomorrow I don't really see why it matters.

Because it does? Apartments often do credit checks. Utilities run checks on you and require down payments for bills if your credit is too low. If you want a "nicer" credit card (Amex, for example), you have to have good credit. Starting a business and want a small business loan? They check your credit history if your business doesn't have a history. Etc..

Credit, at least in America, does matter. Can you get by without it? Of course. But having good credit is pretty easy to do and can have nice benefits.