Using tables isn't bad. Especially when you are focused on web design. Don't punch my face for saying this, but its true although it goes against some ficticious rules.

Tables are the most standard object in HTML. All browsers parse them the same (give or take some attributes, and CSS still matters here as well). I personally use tables for simple things such as columns in a site rather than writing 500 lines of CSS styles to make two DIV columns look the same in every browser.