FICO Revealed Worthless
Credit scores and credit bureaus and FICO look like a three-headed monster living under your bed. Pull back the covers and see if you even care what your FICO score is this month.
I often wonder why the average American worries so much about their credit. Why do you even care? A high FICO score can only lead to the possibility of high debt.
Simple. We have been taught to buy first, and worry about how to pay later.
A high FICO/credit score can only guide you down the path to crushing debt. Living beyond your means is the American Way. Here are 5 reasons to take a different approach and to tear up your credit report:
1. FICO Does Not Cover Your Expenses.
Credit is worthless if your bills are covered by your income each month. If your income falls short, you have bigger problems than a low FICO score.
2. Out of Your Control.
Trying to raise your credit score, as the countless credit repair books will teach you, is a thankless task. At any time, the credit bureaus can alter their algorithms and change their emphasis to change your score – all beyond your control.
For instance, not all bills are created equal. Pay your standard landline phone bill – FICO good. Pay your cell phone bill (often much higher) – FICO doesn’t care. Don’t pay any bill that gets reported to the credit bureaus and you get slammed. No one said FICO was fair, no matter what the name of the company is.
3. Inaccurate and Incomplete.
Credit scores are dry mathematical formulas. No real human contact. Mistakes can live forever. Most human activities can only lower your score.
Income is not really a factor in the credit score algorithm. Get a raise at work and FICO does not know or care. Pay all your expenses in cash and become a credit ghost. Mistakes stay on your report forever. Even debt discharged in bankruptcy somehow lingers.
4. Mounting Debt.
Without a high credit score, it’s almost impossible to take on too much debt. If you cover your bills each month and live within your means, you don’t need credit anyway.
Use credit so-called wisely (pay at least the minimum on time each month) and you will raise your FICO score and be flooded by bank offers to take more credit cards.
Lose your income or suffer a personal financial crisis, and all that built up debt just increases your woes.
5. No Legacy.
You can’t take your FICO score with you. It will never be broadcast at your funeral. Life is too precious to worry about a credit score.
Wealth matters. Your credit score does not.
Eat, drink, and be merry, just not on someone else’s dime.
And live within your means.
Don’t lose sleep or thousands of dollars protecting your credit.
Look for more contrarian financial strategies at Burn Down the Freaking Mission.