10 Secret Ways Credit Impacts Your Life And Wallet
Having bad credit can be very costly, especially if you allow it to go unattended. Since the mortgage meltdown of 2008, the average American has taken a dive in their overall credit rating. Ultimately, these consumers are left facing the burden of increased monthly, as well as overall cost in many areas of their lives. This is not limited to being denied for a loan or paying higher interest rates.
If you are not careful, and choose to do nothing to improve your credit score, you will be paying too much for everyday services or get denied for financing needed to improve your quality of life.
Here are the top 10 ways your credit is affecting you:
The Cost of Having Bad Score
#1 – Mortgage Interest Rates
The loan application process entails an in-depth review of the borrower’s credit history and scores. Those with a score of above 620 are typically able to benefit from getting above average interest rates. It’s a well- known fact that those with top tier (720 or above) credit ratings will benefit from the best interest rates the market has to offer.
On the other hand, if your score is below the qualifying score, you are more likely to receive higher interest rates (4.5% to 6%) or simply be denied approval for your home loan. If you get approved with a low credit score, you will pay a higher monthly payment to own your home. Due to your low credit scores you could potentially pay double or possibly triple the actual value of your home.
#2 – Renting Against Your Will
More times than not, you will rent your home or apartment against your desires because of bad credit. It has become a standard practice amongst consumers to rent, not necessarily because they want to, but because they are forced to do so based on their poor credit rating.
While renting, your monthly payment goes to your landlord which will assist him/her with paying their mortgage. You will never get this money back.
Can you image the amount of money wasted over the years on renting as a result of bad credit? When you own your own home, the monthly payment will go towards gaining equity, which you can eventually turn into cash or even become mortgage free.
#3 – Rental Deposits
In some cases, renting is the best option. If it isn’t time to settle down, your job requires you to move often, if you are in college, etc. Having bad score could be very costly in these situations. Consumers with less than perfect credit typically end up paying a higher deposit compared to someone with a better credit rating, if approved at all. If not approved, you will need a cosigner to obtain approval for an apartment or rental home. Either way, your record easily makes you a credit risk, hence the higher deposit you have to pay.
#4 – Auto Loan Interest Rate
There are three outcomes if you have low credit score and are attempting to obtain financing for a new vehicle.
- You’ll be denied out-right
- You will need a co-signer
- You will obtain a loan with an extremely interest rate (typically 16%-22%)
Typically, individuals with a good to excellent credit score rating, can obtain a rate of 2%-6%. Which can be the differences of hundreds of dollars a month.
#5 – Insurance Rates
Believe it or not, a poor credit score also has an impact on your car insurance premiums. Often insurers use credit scores as a way to predict the possibility of you filing a claim. Depending on your state, your score could be, in part, to blame for your higher insurance premiums.
According to Consumer Reports;
“Average difference paid by drivers with “good” score vs. those with the best score – $214”
The same goes with homeowner’s insurance; the lower your credit score, the higher your insurance rate.
#6 – Utility Deposits (Water, Electricity, Gas)
Similar to the loan application processes, utility companies will typically review the applicant’s credit history. In this instance, if your credit is poor, the company will generally require you to provide a high security deposit to start receiving the service. There are also cases when a company will choose to deny the consumer service due to the potential financial risk. Those with a good rating often obtain low or $0 down deposits for their utilities.
#7 – Employment/ Security Clearance
Most don’t realize that in some cases your ability to get a job is affected if you have poor credit. Those in the finance industry, upper management and looking into positions that require security clearance are the ones most likely to experience such setbacks due to a poor credit history. If you have a poor credit rating, companies deem this as an indicator of your job performance and attendance. Your credit can even keep you from being considered for a promotion at your current job.
#8 – Cable and Internet Deposit
Conducting a credit history review is also part of the application process for getting internet and cable service. This aids companies when determining an applicant’s deposit for equipment and service. Applicants with a low credit score will be charged a higher deposit than the standard, require a cosigner or obtain overall higher rates for the service.
Unfortunately, instead of addressing their credit issues, some consumers will resort to asking friends and family to obtain services for them in order to avoid large deposits.
#9 – Decision Making
Having bad score affects the way you make decisions on goods, services, and living situations.
For example, if you are looking to get a new car and you have a below average credit rating, you will find yourself having to settle for a higher interest rate on a car that is not even your preferred vehicle.
Overtime, this way of thinking will condition you into always settling for less than what you are deserve.
#10 – Personal Relationship
This day and age, people are looking for more than bonding and common interest when looking for their long term partner. More and more men and women are starting to look at their potential partner’s credit status as a deciding factor for longevity of the relationship.
This seems to be a pretty good indicator whether or not a partner is going be financial stable moving forward. This makes sense considering finances are the number one cause of divorce today.
Say “NO” to Poor Credit
Overall, poor credit can truly have a negative impact on one’s life if it is not resolved immediately. Credit is not a subject that is taught in school, so we recommend that you start by educating yourself on credit and its proper utilization. If you find yourself with negative information on your credit report and have the desire to resolving these issues, but don’t know where to start, start with a free credit analysis and consultation with White, Jacobs & Associates today.