Visa (NYSE: V) is a favorite stock of mine. I really wish I'd owned it. I should have picked up shares on the last downturn ahead of its Q3 numbers, because the report that was issued on Wednesday was more gold than plastic, let me tell you.

Revenues increased 18% to $1.6 billion. That in and of itself is great growth, but there are other metrics surrounding the revenue story that stand out as well. Total payment transactions jumped 15%. Payments volume increased 19%. Total processed transactions soared 13%. And there was a 14% expansion in the number of Visa cards that are out there. And now, for the bottom line. Earnings per share came in at $0.59, which was $0.11 ahead of analyst expectations, according to Briefing.com. Debit cards and international exposure were drivers in Q3.

Like competitor MasterCard (NYSE: MA), Visa is a great investment idea because it isn't based on financial risk so much as it is based on transaction quantities. As the holidays approach, and as the economy softens, consumers may choose to use their Visa cards on trips to Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT) and Target (NYSE: TGT). In addition, consumers use cards simply for the sake of convenience. Whether used for financing or as a substitute for fiddling with cash at the point of sale, credit/debit cards should see increased usage over time. Visa's Q3, to me, shows that it is marketing its service properly, expanding upon its brand value, and benefiting from the economic malaise.

Back in March, I read and raved about James Scurlock's book Maxed Out, which was written based on the upcoming documentary of the same name. I then promptly forgot about the movie and just got around to watching it now. So here is my much-belated review of Maxed Out, a movie that every American who wants to understand the subprime and consumer credit industry absolutely must watch.

Scurlock looks at the issue of maxed out Americans on the brink of bankruptcy with a mix of compassion and tough love. Interviews with the owner of a pawn shop show the conspicuous consumption that has been a major contributor the current mess. Dave Ramsey offers advice on a tough, rugged-individualist way to turn your life around: Cut up your credit cards, live like a pauper, and get yourself out of debt.

But there's another side to the story and Maxed Out tells it well: the credit card companies that shamelessly exploit college students and even the mentally disabled, and bankruptcy reform bill written by the credit card industry.

Maxed Out could well be called the movie the consumer credit industry doesn't want you to see, and that's all the reason you need to see it.