People would rather discuss sex with strangers than credit cards
A GfK Roper Public Affairs and Media for CreditCards.com poll found that people would be rather talk about anything with complete strangers before they discuss credit card debt. Religious views, politics, age, weight and health problems are more popular topics.Obviously it's difficult to find solutions to a problem when you can't even talk about it. But it may be even more damaging. The rise of consumer credit has made it nearly impossible to tell a person's financial situation without looking at their tax returns. Remember the LendingTree commercial with the guy who has a dream home and a nice car but is in debt up to his eyeballs? That's a very common situation. That guy you envy probably leases his car, is upside down on his house, and pays for his haute couture with a wallet full of credit cards.
But you have no way of knowing that, and so you end up feeling a need to keep up with the Joneses, even though the Joneses are broke. There's nothing you can do about people's unwillingness to talk about their debt, although you certainly should consider opening up about your issues with a few trusted friends. You might find out they have similar problems. But keep in mind that most people are probably in far worse financial shape than you'd think from meeting them. We live in an age of conspicuous consumption.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
7-23-2008 @ 8:01PM
HAHAHA said...
I love credit cards
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7-17-2008 @ 8:07PM
ConnieG said...
Well, yeah, it's a bit difficult to discuss ANYthing with a credit card, let alone sex. (G)
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7-18-2008 @ 3:34PM
annie said...
i totally agree!!!!!!!!!!!!
7-18-2008 @ 6:38AM
LINDA said...
Ha HAHAHAHA!!! Love it! Syntax butchers strike again!
7-17-2008 @ 8:26PM
vtw said...
Alice,
One of the big three (Equifax, Experian, or TRW) every year and then about every three to four years pay the $45 plus or minus to run a report for each of the big three. A good thing to know if you are denied credit you have a right to request the credit report at that time (I think within 30 or 60 days).
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7-17-2008 @ 9:47PM
Casey said...
www.AnnualCreditReport.com is the site which complies with the US Gov rule to get you 1 FREE credit report each year from each of the 3 reporting agencies. They are required to give you the data...they will try to sell you your credit SCORE as that is not included in the government mandate to provide free report.
Resist the ads and push to buy if you do NOT need your score...just get the basic report for free. And don't do all 3 at once - space them like 1 each 4 months.
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7-17-2008 @ 10:22PM
mike said...
Sex and Credit cards are much the same , either way you end up screwed .
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7-17-2008 @ 10:48PM
Melinda said...
Oh Mike.. you are so right.. LOL Great response.. LOL
7-17-2008 @ 10:41PM
Greg said...
So true! I know people who seem to be living with more of the finer things but it turns out they are all broke and paying on credit cards for things they often times no longer even have. I've never had credit card debt. I never understood how people get into that whole mess.
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7-17-2008 @ 11:27PM
will said...
I would be appreciate if somebody edited these moronic blurbs before asking for comments.
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7-18-2008 @ 12:48AM
Quirky Quasar said...
I pay my credit card balance every month. I have paid a finance charge only once in 23 years of credit card carrying.
I do feel like a fool as I just discovered that I have been using the wrong credit card to pay for my fuel and car maintenance. My Wal-Mart card gets me 3 cents off per gallon; however, another credit card would get me 5% off on same purchases. 5% is better than 3 cents per gallon. I did the math. In fact, 5% is better until gas costs less than 95 cents per gallon!!! Can I mention which is the good credit card? Maybe later. I want to receive mine before they change the rules. :))
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7-18-2008 @ 12:49AM
MIKE said...
IVE ALL-WAYS USED A CREDIT CARD FOR BACK UP. IF SOME THING BREAKS DOWN. THESE BANKS LOVE YOUR CARDS. ADVICE DONT USE UNLESS U HAVE TO. BUIDING CREDIT IS FINE. BUT!! DONT ABUSE THEM. THANK-YOU.
MIKE
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7-18-2008 @ 2:22AM
Ardis said...
Quirky Quasar...you "did the math", lol, but apparently used the wrong numbers. The price of gas would have to be less than 60 cents per gallon for your '3 cents off per gallon' to be better than a 5% rebate.
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7-18-2008 @ 2:50AM
George said...
Hmmm... I guess the worst is using your credit card to pay for sex????
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