Can Your Credit Score Affect Your Dating Relationships?
Being single can be tremendous fun: no one to complain about your 70s soft rock collection, grooming on weekends becomes a matter of choice, and nobody complains if you eat saltines in your gym clothes while watching reality television. But when you do decide to put yourself out there, there are many considerations with a new relationship, including financial stability and a good credit score. With layoffs and foreclosures abounding, does that mean that dating becomes harder for those with less-than-perfect credit scores? After interviewing quite a few singles, the answer is clear: it depends on the type of relationship you desire.
Casual Dating = Credit Sort of Important
In casual dating, your credit score might not be an immediate turnoff. Sheri, 27, says, “Someone's credit score is really the last thing I care about when it comes to casual dating. It’s already difficult enough, trying to find someone tall enough, smart enough, or funny enough. If I like someone, I like them.” Don’t think you can just blow your credit rating off altogether in a casual relationship. “I would say the credit score itself wouldn't be a problem, but it would cause me to be more curious about the person's overall finances, and thus his security, maturity, etc.,” says Karen, 28. “(A poor credit score) could be considered a red flag, but not a total deal breaker. It would be a total deal breaker if the guy acted like it was something to be shrugged off, though.” Men feel the same way when it comes to shorter-term romances, with Matt, 25, saying, “As long as her credit doesn’t affect our ability to go out, I’m good. I have some debt myself so I can sort of relate.”
Longer-Term Relationships = No Romance Without Finance
Looking for something longer than a fling? You’ll want to get your finances in order and clean up your credit score. Christine, 38, says, “Of course (the credit score) matters! It could prevent you from buying a house, getting cars, obtaining loans. That would be tough on any relationship, especially a marriage.” Abe, 29, looks at finance as a gage of what kind of relationship they’ll want moving forward. “You can usually tell a person's credit status based on their lifestyle. If I was dating a receptionist who was wearing designer labels all the time, I’d assume she's either a plastic junkie or someone else is feeding her too (i.e. parental assistance or a sugar daddy). Most guys I know want a girl who can hold their own for a longer term relationship.”
Bottom line? Summer flings don’t mean a thing when it comes to your long-term creditworthiness, so don’t think you have to come to your first date with your credit report in hand. Get to know each other and find some chemistry. However, if you’re thinking longer-term or in a relationship that might go the distance, it’s best to get things in order so you can present yourself in the best light. After all, a happy, healthy relationship means both partners can contribute equally and financial stability is part of that long-term equation.
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A former HR exec for some of the world's top financial organizations, Kristin Booker decided to combine her love of the written word with her love of all things fashion, style and finance into a career as a freelance editor/writer and has never looked back. A contributor to sites like Daily Makeover, Social Diva, Shefinds, YourTango and FiLife as well as her own site, FashionStyleBeauty.com, she enjoys writing about lifestyle, fashion, beauty, money and relationships. An avid traveler, wine collector and yoga enthusiast, this media maven lives, works and shops (responsibly) in New York City.
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Absolutely you've hit the nail on the head with your assessment. I wrote a book on just this subject, "Good Credit is Sexy". You can read about it here: http://www.creditinfocenter.com. Kristy Welsh
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I think the writer of this article and anyone else who agrees with even thinking about a partner's credit score is sick. Really, actually mental-disorder, doesn't have a brain, ****** in the head sick. Wake up, humanity, get a life, and get real.
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I think this is one of those things in life where if you are not the one concerned with this issue, who ever dating you better be aware of your lack of financial interest. Relationships are hard work and money is often times an issue as it pertains to so much of your life. By talking about finances you at least get a sense for whether or not you all both value the same things. Perhaps I just believe it is best to error on the side of communication and not feel as though I should be afraid to discuss whatever is bothering me.
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Yes, and if a one word answer is not supposed to be used on filife then hell yeah would be the the more appropreiate answer/phrase. your financial situation is always the or a topic of discussion when considering a domestic partner. (notice the phrase domestic partner, gotta keep it sexually bias on all approaches)
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AaronShaw: "Your financial situation is always the or a topic of discussion when considering a domestic partner." - agree completely on this point!
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I agree with the article. One aspect I think you have to address however is why the credit score is low. Most would be considerate if the person had been a victim of identity theft, poor health, or had some insinuating circumstance that put them in a position to have a less than desirable credit score. If their low score had been obtained through frivalous spending and poor lifestyle choices, that may be a sign of poor judegment in general. Feeling that the person you are with has poor judgement is a warning sign to anyone with common sense.
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I think everyone is looking for an equal, and that we gravitate to "like" character traits. While the term opposites attract, is sometimes used, it is not the norm.
Imagine the athiest with the regular church goer
Imagine the agoraphobic with the party hardy gal
imagine the bankrupt person with the person who has all the toys and the nest egg to match...
I think that the answer is different for everyone, people are willing to compromise to be in a relationship, it just depends on how important the issue is to compromise on...
I am a WASP, used to be a meat and potatoes guy... if I married a muslum, eating curry might be something I could live with!
Retiring with someone who has not prepared for retirement, or worse still nearing retirement age with significant debt, I personally would not be able to compromise on.... becasue that person now becomes my dependant, and not me equal!
I understand that not everyone feels the same, but marraiges break up becasue of sex, children, and money! IMHO
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