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cupcake · Nov 5th, 2009, 02:15 PM

Please excuse me while I vent...

A credit score doesn’t determine a person’s self worth, their worth to society or their worth to family and friends. Yet, the pride so many people have about their high credit scores bewilders me. And, the stigma that is projected by society on those who have low credit scores is no less bewildering. A higher credit score doesn’t make you a great person. A lower credit score doesn’t make you a horrible person.

Some people will seemingly do anything for a good credit score and for the right to brag about it. Society is doing exactly what the banks/credit card companies want by being so obsessed by this. And then, without cause or reason, these banks/cc companies slash even their good customers’ available credit, thus lowering these peoples’ credit scores through no fault of their own. Yet, still, people are slaves to these banks and continue on with the rest of the sheep in the herd.

Not long ago, I was sitting with a group of women – young and old – and one of the 20-somethings was talking about her new boyfriend. The very first question one of the women asked her was whether or not he had good credit. The first question wasn’t if he was a good person, if he treated her well, if he was intelligent, or even what he did for a living. Does he have good credit? As if to say that people who have bad credit can’t possibly be honorable and people with good credit can’t possibly be immoral?

Honestly, it makes me really mad and I am absolutely sick of it. People should be measured by things such as how they treat others and their contribution to humanity, not by a number which may or may not reflect their personal creditworthiness.

lovingmybags · Nov 5th, 2009, 02:33 PM

Well, our society is becoming increasingly obssessed with numbers, in addition to being too materialistic. Nowadays, it seems like how good a product is=how many it is sold...

~Fabulousity~ · Nov 5th, 2009, 03:09 PM

Lol I agree with you

lorihmatthews · Nov 5th, 2009, 04:39 PM

Credit scores are really important. While it is possible to obsess over them, credit scores determine so much these days. A lot of employers do credit checks before they interview someone.

I do believe that good or bad credit can be an indicator of what a person is like (barring any extenuating circumstances). I wouldn't want to be with someone who wasn't responsible enough to pay their bills on time.

Litigatrix · Nov 5th, 2009, 04:52 PM

It's easy to obsess over because it's a readily quantifiable way to demonstrate your superiority over your friends (assuming you have a good credit score). I agree that it's not a foolproof way of demonstrating that you are a good person, but it certainly has some correlation with a person's reliability and sense of obligation to society. I would never ask upon learning that one of my friends had a new BF whether he had good credit, though. That's tacky.

Allisonfaye · Nov 5th, 2009, 04:53 PM

I was going to say, although I do agree that there is a lot of obsessing over this, it CAN tell you something about a person. I think the largest percentage of divorces are caused by money related issues, so you really want to be with someone who is on the same page as you, moneywise.

I do think it is silly to brag about your credit score (unless you are in a discussion of credit scores).

barcreperie · Nov 5th, 2009, 05:31 PM

A person's credit score is an indication of their integrity and sense of responsibility, but not without caveats. Some things out of a person's control might affect their credit score. While I don't think a credit score is a bragging point, I would certainly want to know my boyfriend's credit score if I was thinking of marry him. It would never occur to me to ask a friend about her boyfriend's credit score.

plain jane doe · Nov 5th, 2009, 05:58 PM

I clicked on your thread thinking you were going to talk about people like me who check their credit scores all the time! I've never heard of people judging others on their credit score . . . Why should anyone know anything about your credit score that you're not financially involved with? I understand what others are saying about it being a reflection of responsibility; however, I think there are many other and better indicators. What if they guy, like many on here, was financially irresponsible before and has learned his lesson? What if he actually is very responsible and so has either avoided credit and therefore has a short history and poor score, or keeps few credit cards and has a poor score from utilizing a high percentage of a low limit?

Anyway, I think I would steer clear of people who feel that their or your credit scores are an appropriate subject for daily chit chat.

LV-PRADAfanatic · Nov 5th, 2009, 06:32 PM

i hate it when so many parts of yr life depend on it

crewe · Nov 5th, 2009, 07:28 PM

Originally Posted by barcreperie

A person's credit score is an indication of their integrity and sense of responsibility, but not without caveats. Some things out of a person's control might affect their credit score. While I don't think a credit score is a bragging point, I would certainly want to know my boyfriend's credit score if I was thinking of marry him. It would never occur to me to ask a friend about her boyfriend's credit score.

I agree 100%! Maybe not the first question to ask someone about their boyfriend, but a good credit score is an important thing to have and it does in fact say something - not everything - about one's character.

nooch · Nov 5th, 2009, 10:09 PM

I think a lot of your question (or at least your given example) is about gender roles & societal expectations for males and females in relationships more than it is about credit scores.

For me personally, I am neurotic about my credit score because I am very young and have not yet made a major purchase that would require financing (house or car), so I need to make sure it looks good for when I do want to make those purchases. Not that once I have gotten a mortgage I'm gonna stop paying my bills... but right now there is one CC I keep open because I don't want to take the hit on my credit score for that reason.

I think I would have a stroke if anyone asked me about my husband's credit (it's bad, btw, and I don't think it makes him a bad person or bad husband - he used credit cards like free money in college because his parents paid the minimum and now we're paying them down).

Firefly32 · Nov 6th, 2009, 04:46 AM

I don't think credit scores make bad people, what about the people that loose their jobs and take months to a year to land a new one. Minimum wage jobs can be picked up if they hire you but they don't pay the bills completely. When your loosing your job and go through your savings you starting only then having enough money to pay for food and what is really needed.

dr. twiggers · Nov 6th, 2009, 06:59 AM

I struggle with this. I stress about my credit score and for some reason I relate it to my self worth. Like it exemplifies how responsible I am.
Makes no sense whatsoever...and I'm slowly trying to let go of those distorted thoughts.

It's like it has been drilled into our heads though. Commercials everywhere suggesting that you're somehow incompetent if you don't check your credit score or know your score.

But really...unless you plan on buying a home or financing a new vehicle, then it's pretty useless (unless you are in banking/finance where they might check your credit - HOWEVER, you can write in explanations on your credit report for why there are negative items).

jenniferelaine · Nov 6th, 2009, 08:32 AM

I agree that it is silly to obsess over bc you know what? IMO, even if you do everything right, you are going to get dinged SOMEHOW. Credit entities, banks, etc....are all in the business of trying to WRECK your credit score. If its not all the trouble with mortgages, its the credit card terms. So you do everything right & pay your bills, well, guess what? They're going to hit you with a fee if you dont' use them. So if you get mad & refuse to pay? Missed payment with a dispute-goes against your credit (probably). So you take the 'screw em' attitude & close your cards-guess what? Goes against your credit bc you closed an account. So its fine, well & good to be responsible, in fact, thats the best way to be. But stressing & letting it determine your self worth & whether you're a responsible, contributing member of socieity? Nah. There are much better ways to do that. IMO, the best you can do is live within your means & pay your bills on time. Your number will never reflect how truly responsible you just bc of the way our world is now.

Just my $0.02.

And I have good credit, btw.... LOL!

Jahpson · Nov 6th, 2009, 08:40 AM

LOL! I know people who ask that question about new mates. I guess its suppose to indicate whether he is fiscally responsible. You dont want to end up falling for a guy who later turns out someone to be bad with paying the bills and keeping good credit. You would have to buy a house together someday right? lol

but I hear what your saying. Having an excellent credit score doesnt mean that you have or make alot of money. It's just that you are responsible when you have installment payments such as a car or home.

I was obsessed with my credit score because I remeber when I got out of college and went to buy a car, I was lucked out of a better monthly payment on my loan just because I had a balance that was late for two months! I think the balance was like $30, but because I was so late it brought down my score. So from then on until I buy my first home, I want to keep good credit. I also am going back to school and may need to take out a loan so that is also important.

Its just the little or silly things that can lower your score (paying off a loan to early etc.) and I think thats what some folks are worried about.

Now, those who gain good credit just to say they have good credit.....idk about that.

Nov 5th, 2009, 02:15 PM	#1
cupcake OP ♥ is loving life ♥ Joined: May 2006 Posts: 3,365	Why are people slaves to their credit scores? Please excuse me while I vent... A credit score doesn’t determine a person’s self worth, their worth to society or their worth to family and friends. Yet, the pride so many people have about their high credit scores bewilders me. And, the stigma that is projected by society on those who have low credit scores is no less bewildering. A higher credit score doesn’t make you a great person. A lower credit score doesn’t make you a horrible person. Some people will seemingly do anything for a good credit score and for the right to brag about it. Society is doing exactly what the banks/credit card companies want by being so obsessed by this. And then, without cause or reason, these banks/cc companies slash even their good customers’ available credit, thus lowering these peoples’ credit scores through no fault of their own. Yet, still, people are slaves to these banks and continue on with the rest of the sheep in the herd. Not long ago, I was sitting with a group of women – young and old – and one of the 20-somethings was talking about her new boyfriend. The very first question one of the women asked her was whether or not he had good credit. The first question wasn’t if he was a good person, if he treated her well, if he was intelligent, or even what he did for a living. Does he have good credit? As if to say that people who have bad credit can’t possibly be honorable and people with good credit can’t possibly be immoral? Honestly, it makes me really mad and I am absolutely sick of it. People should be measured by things such as how they treat others and their contribution to humanity, not by a number which may or may not reflect their personal creditworthiness.

Nov 5th, 2009, 02:33 PM	#2
lovingmybags Member Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 1,499	Well, our society is becoming increasingly obssessed with numbers, in addition to being too materialistic. Nowadays, it seems like how good a product is=how many it is sold...
lovingmybags Member Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 1,499

Nov 5th, 2009, 03:09 PM	#3
~Fabulousity~ Member Joined: Jan 2006 Posts: 12,925	Lol I agree with you
~Fabulousity~ Member Joined: Jan 2006 Posts: 12,925

Nov 5th, 2009, 04:39 PM	#4
lorihmatthews Fall is here! Joined: Oct 2006 Location: San Francisco Posts: 11,049	Credit scores are really important. While it is possible to obsess over them, credit scores determine so much these days. A lot of employers do credit checks before they interview someone. I do believe that good or bad credit can be an indicator of what a person is like (barring any extenuating circumstances). I wouldn't want to be with someone who wasn't responsible enough to pay their bills on time.
	__________________ My blog: Part-time Fashion for a Full-time Life Twitter: lorihmatthews

Nov 5th, 2009, 04:52 PM	#5
Litigatrix bend and snap! Joined: Nov 2006 Location: DC Posts: 7,029	It's easy to obsess over because it's a readily quantifiable way to demonstrate your superiority over your friends (assuming you have a good credit score). I agree that it's not a foolproof way of demonstrating that you are a good person, but it certainly has some correlation with a person's reliability and sense of obligation to society. I would never ask upon learning that one of my friends had a new BF whether he had good credit, though. That's tacky.
	__________________ PLEASE do not PM me for authentications. My Collection: http://forum.purseblog.com/your-bag-showcase/litigatrixs-im-modest-collection-144948.html Also, check out the Authentic Spy Picture Reference & Drool! Yay! http://pics.livejournal.com/fendi_spy_list/

Nov 5th, 2009, 04:53 PM	#6
Allisonfaye Member Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 5,618	I was going to say, although I do agree that there is a lot of obsessing over this, it CAN tell you something about a person. I think the largest percentage of divorces are caused by money related issues, so you really want to be with someone who is on the same page as you, moneywise. I do think it is silly to brag about your credit score (unless you are in a discussion of credit scores).
Allisonfaye Member Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 5,618	__________________ If you can afford it, for God's sake, BUY SOMETHING!

Nov 5th, 2009, 05:31 PM	#7
barcreperie Member Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 1,538	A person's credit score is an indication of their integrity and sense of responsibility, but not without caveats. Some things out of a person's control might affect their credit score. While I don't think a credit score is a bragging point, I would certainly want to know my boyfriend's credit score if I was thinking of marry him. It would never occur to me to ask a friend about her boyfriend's credit score.
barcreperie Member Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 1,538

Nov 5th, 2009, 05:58 PM	#8
plain jane doe Member Joined: Aug 2008 Posts: 1,570	I clicked on your thread thinking you were going to talk about people like me who check their credit scores all the time! I've never heard of people judging others on their credit score . . . Why should anyone know anything about your credit score that you're not financially involved with? I understand what others are saying about it being a reflection of responsibility; however, I think there are many other and better indicators. What if they guy, like many on here, was financially irresponsible before and has learned his lesson? What if he actually is very responsible and so has either avoided credit and therefore has a short history and poor score, or keeps few credit cards and has a poor score from utilizing a high percentage of a low limit? Anyway, I think I would steer clear of people who feel that their or your credit scores are an appropriate subject for daily chit chat.
plain jane doe Member Joined: Aug 2008 Posts: 1,570

Nov 5th, 2009, 06:32 PM	#9
LV-PRADAfanatic Built Hot for LV Joined: Oct 2007 Location: That's ME ^_^ Posts: 14,739	i hate it when so many parts of yr life depend on it
	__________________ All so LoVely, so little time to get them all

Nov 5th, 2009, 10:09 PM	#11
nooch bubblehead Joined: Apr 2008 Posts: 3,890	I think a lot of your question (or at least your given example) is about gender roles & societal expectations for males and females in relationships more than it is about credit scores. For me personally, I am neurotic about my credit score because I am very young and have not yet made a major purchase that would require financing (house or car), so I need to make sure it looks good for when I do want to make those purchases. Not that once I have gotten a mortgage I'm gonna stop paying my bills... but right now there is one CC I keep open because I don't want to take the hit on my credit score for that reason. I think I would have a stroke if anyone asked me about my husband's credit (it's bad, btw, and I don't think it makes him a bad person or bad husband - he used credit cards like free money in college because his parents paid the minimum and now we're paying them down).
nooch bubblehead Joined: Apr 2008 Posts: 3,890	__________________ Come cheer me on at my weight loss thread - http://forum.purseblog.com/health-an...re-488893.html

Nov 6th, 2009, 04:46 AM	#12
Firefly32 Member Joined: Jul 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,569	I don't think credit scores make bad people, what about the people that loose their jobs and take months to a year to land a new one. Minimum wage jobs can be picked up if they hire you but they don't pay the bills completely. When your loosing your job and go through your savings you starting only then having enough money to pay for food and what is really needed.

Nov 6th, 2009, 06:59 AM	#13
dr. twiggers Finally Done! Joined: May 2006 Location: The Library Posts: 21,852	I struggle with this. I stress about my credit score and for some reason I relate it to my self worth. Like it exemplifies how responsible I am. Makes no sense whatsoever...and I'm slowly trying to let go of those distorted thoughts. It's like it has been drilled into our heads though. Commercials everywhere suggesting that you're somehow incompetent if you don't check your credit score or know your score. But really...unless you plan on buying a home or financing a new vehicle, then it's pretty useless (unless you are in banking/finance where they might check your credit - HOWEVER, you can write in explanations on your credit report for why there are negative items).
	__________________ November Goals: 1. Get credit card to $4500 (or less) - done! 2. Add $500 to emergency fund - added $600! 3. Add $500 to vacation fund - done! 4. Stay under grocery budget - not going so well

Nov 6th, 2009, 08:32 AM	#14
jenniferelaine Member Joined: May 2006 Posts: 1,378	I agree that it is silly to obsess over bc you know what? IMO, even if you do everything right, you are going to get dinged SOMEHOW. Credit entities, banks, etc....are all in the business of trying to WRECK your credit score. If its not all the trouble with mortgages, its the credit card terms. So you do everything right & pay your bills, well, guess what? They're going to hit you with a fee if you dont' use them. So if you get mad & refuse to pay? Missed payment with a dispute-goes against your credit (probably). So you take the 'screw em' attitude & close your cards-guess what? Goes against your credit bc you closed an account. So its fine, well & good to be responsible, in fact, thats the best way to be. But stressing & letting it determine your self worth & whether you're a responsible, contributing member of socieity? Nah. There are much better ways to do that. IMO, the best you can do is live within your means & pay your bills on time. Your number will never reflect how truly responsible you just bc of the way our world is now. Just my $0.02. And I have good credit, btw.... LOL!
jenniferelaine Member Joined: May 2006 Posts: 1,378

Nov 6th, 2009, 08:40 AM	#15
Jahpson Member Joined: Aug 2007 Location: The Playground Posts: 22,399	LOL! I know people who ask that question about new mates. I guess its suppose to indicate whether he is fiscally responsible. You dont want to end up falling for a guy who later turns out someone to be bad with paying the bills and keeping good credit. You would have to buy a house together someday right? lol but I hear what your saying. Having an excellent credit score doesnt mean that you have or make alot of money. It's just that you are responsible when you have installment payments such as a car or home. I was obsessed with my credit score because I remeber when I got out of college and went to buy a car, I was lucked out of a better monthly payment on my loan just because I had a balance that was late for two months! I think the balance was like $30, but because I was so late it brought down my score. So from then on until I buy my first home, I want to keep good credit. I also am going back to school and may need to take out a loan so that is also important. Its just the little or silly things that can lower your score (paying off a loan to early etc.) and I think thats what some folks are worried about. Now, those who gain good credit just to say they have good credit.....idk about that.
	__________________ Michael Joseph Jackson 1958-2009

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