j_crazy;1211806 wrote:720 is what banks think is high.

queencitybuckeye;1211872 wrote:Not sure, but I think the max is different between the major reporting companies.

To me 800 is a really good score.

jmog;1211964 wrote:I honestly have no idea what my credit score is and could care less. I don't need it anymore.

I have my house.
I carry only 1 emergency CC that I carry a zero balance on it.
I have zero car payments and buy cars, when I need a new one, with money out of savings.
I have zero debt other than mortgage and some student loans left.

I couldn't tell you if my credit score is 600 or 800 and I honestly don't care.

If for some reason I have to quickly move out of state for work I will care once again.

My father-in-law is the type that obsesses about his credit to the point its odd to me.

j_crazy;1212003 wrote:I don't have anything to add the conversation but here is how I'm better than you.

-jmog'd

gut;1212046 wrote:I always laugh when I see people bragging up not using a credit card. I use mine almost all the time in lieu of cash, just simpler and more convenient so long as you pay it off each month. And the points, while not a lot, can still add up to a free airline ticket or a couple nights in a hotel, so still a benefit you don't get using cash (assuming you have cards without fees). And I've also learned it's smart to have a few cards in case one gets rejected for whatever reason (and not everyone takes AMEX).

jmog;1212050 wrote:I agree, I used to do this, exactly this, for the points. For whatever reason I got away from it (honestly no idea why). However, you are correct, as long as the person is disciplined enough to pay the monthly balance in full each moth, using a CC with some type of rewards is smarter than using cash.

gut;1212058 wrote:True. LOL, perhaps you've gotten away from it because a lot of places are on to the game and are now charging additional fees for using a CC or preventing it all together (i.e. can't put your rent or mortgage payment on it without paying for it).

If I frequent a local restaurant or some place like that, I do try to pay in cash because the 2-3% extra they pay adds up for them but not really for me. Plus, I still am a bit paranoid about where I use my CC so I try not to use it for small transactions. It's been fairly painless each time to resolve, but I have had my CC compromised a few times. You're also getting additional consumer protection if you buy a tv or something on your CC.

And the sad reality is more people are not disciplined or savvy enough to use credit responsibly. Most end-up using it to live beyond their means, unfortunately.

gut;1212076 wrote:Yeah, I pay @ $70 on my AMEX. First year fee was waived. I planned to ditch it, but I use it for business travel so the points are more than making up for it. And there's some convenience to it being with the same place I bank at. At the end of the day, $70 a year isn't really worth my shopping around and applying to get a lower fee. Some of the ones with no annual fees are stingier on the points, so you have to take that into account with your use. For emergency purposes, yeah absolutely you want one with no annual fee.

Otherwise, I'd recommend having 2 of the big 3 (Visa, Mastercard, AMEX). Not really an issue in the US, but when you travel internationally sometimes 1 of them aren't accepted.

RedRider1;1212172 wrote:I look at credit scores as a part of my job and have only ran into 1 or maybe 2 that were under 500. Couldn't imagine how financially wrecked someone would have to be for their score to be under 300. Yikes.