On Tuesday, May 4, 2021 at 7:50:47 AM UTC-4, Dr. Bruce wrote:
> Cindy Hamilton wrote:
>
> > On Tuesday, May 4, 2021 at 7:09:28 AM UTC-4, Dr. Bruce wrote:
> > > Cindy Hamilton wrote:
> > >
> > > > On Monday, May 3, 2021 at 5:37:52 PM UTC-4, Dr. Bruce wrote:
> > > > > dsi1 wrote:
> > > >
> > > > > > Forget it Bruce, it's Appliance Town.
> > > > > What does that mean?
> > > >
> > > > It's a play on the last line of the film Chinatown.
> > > >
> > > > Cindy Hamilton
> > > I'm not no American.
> >
> > Chinatown is a 1974 film directed by Roman Polanski. It won an
> > assortment of international awards for its screenplay, acting, and
> > directing. It is considered a classic.
> >
> > Cindy Hamilton
> But I'm not no American. Would you like to know which Dutch and
> Australian movies I've seen?

Only if they're as good as Chinatown.

Cindy Hamilton

On Tue, 4 May 2021 09:41:20 -0400, Dave Smith
> wrote:

>On 2021-05-04 7:55 a.m., Gary wrote:
>> Boron Elgar wrote:
>>> Appliance rentals are never good deals. They are similar to paycheck
>>> loan companies in that respect. These are industries that prey on the
>>> poor, the unbanked, or those who cannot establish credit.
>>
>> My daughter once did one of those paycheck loans. I looked it up and she
>> paid over 400% APR for that short term loan. I was surprised that *that*
>> was even legal, but it is.
>>
>> I yelled at her for that.
>> 1) live within your means
>> 2) If you ever need another loan? Ask me, I'm here.
>>
>>
>
>Some people can't. I had a good friend who owed so much his credit card
>that he had a hard time making the minimum payment. One of my nephews
>owed a lot and later told me it was over $30,000. His parents helped
>him get it consolidated and a bank loan to pay off the credit cards. As
>soon as that was done he was out there charging up a storm again.
>

There will always be greedy idiots who do their best to beat the
system. There is no system or set up of any sort in the private or
public sector that someone won't try to scam. That is not the main
reason for needed rental appliances or payday loans.

Be that as it may, it is a stunningly high percentage of people who do
not have the financial depth to cover even small emergencies.

On Tue, 4 May 2021 Dave Smith wrote:
>On 2021-05-04 Gary wrote:
>> Boron Elgar wrote:
>>> Appliance rentals are never good deals. They are similar to paycheck
>>> loan companies in that respect. These are industries that prey on the
>>> poor, the unbanked, or those who cannot establish credit.
>>
>> My daughter once did one of those paycheck loans. I looked it up and she
>> paid over 400% APR for that short term loan. I was surprised that *that*
>> was even legal, but it is.
>>
>> I yelled at her for that.
>> 1) live within your means
>> 2) If you ever need another loan? Ask me, I'm here.
>
>Some people can't. I had a good friend who owed so much his credit card
>that he had a hard time making the minimum payment. One of my nephews
>owed a lot and later told me it was over $30,000. His parents helped
>him get it consolidated and a bank loan to pay off the credit cards. As
>soon as that was done he was out there charging up a storm again.

Credit card companies set a limit on how much one can charge, the most
one can charge on plastic is about $15,000. Get to half that amount
and they place a stop on the card and they phone you at the register
for approval. I had my Visa set to a $10,000 limit. Normal people
don't want a high maximum, credit card interest is absurdidly high. I
pay my Visa every month, I've never paid any interest. The main
reason I have a credit card is so I can make purchases on line.

On 2021-05-04 11:12 a.m., Sheldon Martin wrote:
> On Tue, 4 May 2021 Dave Smith wrote:


>> Some people can't. I had a good friend who owed so much his credit card
>> that he had a hard time making the minimum payment. One of my nephews
>> owed a lot and later told me it was over $30,000. His parents helped
>> him get it consolidated and a bank loan to pay off the credit cards. As
>> soon as that was done he was out there charging up a storm again.
>
> Credit card companies set a limit on how much one can charge, the most
> one can charge on plastic is about $15,000. Get to half that amount
> and they place a stop on the card and they phone you at the register
> for approval. I had my Visa set to a $10,000 limit. Normal people
> don't want a high maximum, credit card interest is absurdidly high. I
> pay my Visa every month, I've never paid any interest. The main
> reason I have a credit card is so I can make purchases on line.


I doubt these guys only had one credit card.

Normally I only use my credit card for a few things, like subscriptions.
In days of yore it was a pain in the butt to write a cheque, so I used
credit cards for convenience. It was easier than writing a cheque where
you had to fill out all sorts of information and show multiple IDs. I
occasionally used one if I wanted to buy something and we were a little
short but had money coming in. Now I use it for online purchases. I
always pay it off at the end of the month. AAMOF, my wife was at the
bank to pay MasterCard yesterday. She had the statement but had the
teller check the current balance and paid the extra.

On 2021-05-04 7:41 a.m., Dave Smith wrote:
> On 2021-05-04 7:55 a.m., Gary wrote:
>> Boron Elgar wrote:
>>> Appliance rentals are never good deals. They are similar to paycheck
>>> loan companies in that respect. These are industries that prey on the
>>> poor, the unbanked, or those who cannot establish credit.
>>
>> My daughter once did one of those paycheck loans. I looked it up and
>> she paid over 400% APR for that short term loan. I was surprised that
>> *that* was even legal, but it is.
>>
>> I yelled at her for that.
>> 1) live within your means
>> 2) If you ever need another loan? Ask me, I'm here.
>>
>>
>
> Some people can't. I had a good friend who owed so much his credit card
> that he had a hard time making the minimum payment. One of my nephews
> owed a lot and later told me it was over $30,000.* His parents helped
> him get it consolidated and a bank loan to pay off the credit cards. As
> soon as that was done he was out there charging up a storm again.
>
>
I have friends who have never had an income that they couldn't live
beyond. When they inherited a very large sum, I predicted that within
three years, they would be negotiating an overdraft with the bank.
I was right!

On Tuesday, May 4, 2021 at 8:05:21 AM UTC-4, Gary wrote:
> Cindy Hamilton wrote:
> > Snerk. Good one. Now I have the music playing in my head, which is nice.
> Want good music? Have a listen to this one. It's a bit old but I just
> discovered it.
>
> "Stop crying your heart out" by Oasis
> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QyVil0dwhkk

It's not that old and not that good. I can see where it has some nostalgia value.

Here's some good music:

"Sing, Sing, Sing", by the Benny Goodman Orchestra.

<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0NigiwMtWE0>

Cindy Hamilton

On 2021-05-04 11:47 a.m., Graham wrote:
> On 2021-05-04 7:41 a.m., Dave Smith wrote:

>> Some people can't. I had a good friend who owed so much his credit
>> card that he had a hard time making the minimum payment. One of my
>> nephews owed a lot and later told me it was over $30,000.* His parents
>> helped him get it consolidated and a bank loan to pay off the credit
>> cards. As soon as that was done he was out there charging up a storm
>> again.
>>
>>
> I have friends who have never had an income that they couldn't live
> beyond. When they inherited a very large sum, I predicted that within
> three years, they would be negotiating an overdraft with the bank.
> I was right!

There is a world of difference between my wife and her sister. When
their mother died and left them some property that was sold. My wife put
her share in the bank and gradually pulled some out to redecorate the
house, a trip to Europe. Best of all, she paid off the line of credit on
the car and then arranged to automatically transfer $500 a month back to
her account to repay it. Since that time we have been able to pay cash
for cars and pay her back. Her sister OTOH, went out and bought a
cottage. Then she couldn't afford to keep it.

Then there was my bipolar cousin. I had been her mother's PoA and my
brother was the executor of her will. Cousin kept pestering him about
when she was getting the money. As soon as she got it she bought a car
and non winterized house with wood stove for heating. She blew about
$300K and then lost it all.

My mother died 12 years ago. We used some of my inheritance for a trip
to Europe and I got a nice kayak. Most of the rest is sitting in the
bank and some of it will be used for my son's upcoming wedding.

On Tuesday, May 4, 2021 at 10:20:57 AM UTC-5, Dave Smith wrote:
>
> my wife was at the
> bank to pay MasterCard yesterday. She had the statement but had the
> teller check the current balance and paid the extra.
>
Why don't you set that MasterCard up on your bank account and pay it
through your checking account?? No trips to the bank and no asking
someone else to tell you that balance. I've got three cards and two of
them are set up to be paid off each month.

On 2021-05-04 1:49 p.m., wrote:
> On Tuesday, May 4, 2021 at 10:20:57 AM UTC-5, Dave Smith wrote:
>>
>> my wife was at the
>> bank to pay MasterCard yesterday. She had the statement but had the
>> teller check the current balance and paid the extra.
>>
> Why don't you set that MasterCard up on your bank account and pay it
> through your checking account?? No trips to the bank and no asking
> someone else to tell you that balance. I've got three cards and two of
> them are set up to be paid off each month.
>

Sounds like a good idea, but she looks after the bills, no.... whatever
works for her.

On 2021-05-04 9:20 a.m., Dave Smith wrote:
> On 2021-05-04 11:12 a.m., Sheldon Martin wrote:
>> On Tue, 4 May 2021 Dave Smith wrote:
>
>
>>> Some people can't. I had a good friend who owed so much his credit card
>>> that he had a hard time making the minimum payment. One of my nephews
>>> owed a lot and later told me it was over $30,000.Â* His parents helped
>>> him get it consolidated and a bank loan to pay off the credit cards. As
>>> soon as that was done he was out there charging up a storm again.
>>
>> Credit card companies set a limit on how much one can charge, the most
>> one can charge on plastic is about $15,000.Â* Get to half that amount
>> and they place a stop on the card and they phone you at the register
>> for approval.Â* I had my Visa set to a $10,000 limit.Â* Normal people
>> don't want a high maximum, credit card interest is absurdidly high.Â* I
>> pay my Visa every month, I've never paid any interest.Â* The main
>> reason I have a credit card is so I can make purchases on line.
>
>
> I doubt these guys only had one credit card.
>
> Normally I only use my credit card for a few things, like subscriptions.
> In days of yore it was a pain in the butt to write a cheque, so I used
> credit cards for convenience. It was easier than writing a cheque where
> you had to fill out all sorts of information and show multiple IDs. I
> occasionally used one if I wanted to buy something and we were a little
> short but had money coming in.Â* Now I use it for online purchases.Â* I
> always pay it off at the end of the month. AAMOF, my wife was at the
> bank to pay MasterCard yesterday. She had the statement but had the
> teller check the current balance and paid the extra.
>

What I can't understand is that my credit rating, obtainable when I do
any online banking, has just dropped to just below 800. It usually sits
at 870 but should be 900 as I have no debts, apart from modest credit
card balances that I pay off promptly every month.

Cindy Hamilton wrote:

> On Tuesday, May 4, 2021 at 7:50:47 AM UTC-4, Dr. Bruce wrote:
> > Cindy Hamilton wrote:
> >
> > > On Tuesday, May 4, 2021 at 7:09:28 AM UTC-4, Dr. Bruce wrote:
> > > > Cindy Hamilton wrote:
> > > >
> > > > > On Monday, May 3, 2021 at 5:37:52 PM UTC-4, Dr. Bruce wrote:
> > > > > > dsi1 wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > > > > Forget it Bruce, it's Appliance Town.
> > > > > > What does that mean?
> > > > >
> > > > > It's a play on the last line of the film Chinatown.
> > > > >
> > > > > Cindy Hamilton
> > > > I'm not no American.
> > >
> > > Chinatown is a 1974 film directed by Roman Polanski. It won an
> > > assortment of international awards for its screenplay, acting,
> > > and directing. It is considered a classic.
> > >
> > > Cindy Hamilton
> > But I'm not no American. Would you like to know which Dutch and
> > Australian movies I've seen?
>
> Only if they're as good as Chinatown.
>
> Cindy Hamilton

Chinatown?

--
The real Dr. Bruce posts with uni-berlin.de - individual.net

Cindy Hamilton wrote:

> On Tuesday, May 4, 2021 at 8:05:21 AM UTC-4, Gary wrote:
> > Cindy Hamilton wrote:
> > > Snerk. Good one. Now I have the music playing in my head, which
> > > is nice.
> > Want good music? Have a listen to this one. It's a bit old but I
> > just discovered it.
> >
> > "Stop crying your heart out" by Oasis
> > https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QyVil0dwhkk

"Oasis", I thought I'd hate it but I don't.

> It's not that old and not that good. I can see where it has some
> nostalgia value.
>
> Here's some good music:
>
> "Sing, Sing, Sing", by the Benny Goodman Orchestra.
>
> <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0NigiwMtWE0>

"Benny Goodman", I thought I'd hate it but I don't.

But nothing beats this:
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_25S5BgTlg>

--
The real Dr. Bruce posts with uni-berlin.de - individual.net

Dave Smith wrote:

> On 2021-05-04 11:47 a.m., Graham wrote:
> > On 2021-05-04 7:41 a.m., Dave Smith wrote:
>
> > > Some people can't. I had a good friend who owed so much his
> > > credit card that he had a hard time making the minimum payment.
> > > One of my nephews owed a lot and later told me it was over
> > > $30,000.* His parents helped him get it consolidated and a bank
> > > loan to pay off the credit cards. As soon as that was done he
> > > was out there charging up a storm again.
> > >
> > >
> > I have friends who have never had an income that they couldn't live
> > beyond. When they inherited a very large sum, I predicted that
> > within three years, they would be negotiating an overdraft with
> > the bank. I was right!
>
> There is a world of difference between my wife and her sister.

It's good that you make the distinction. They'll both appreciate it.

--
The real Dr. Bruce posts with uni-berlin.de - individual.net

On 5/4/2021 2:44 PM, Graham wrote:
> On 2021-05-04 9:20 a.m., Dave Smith wrote:
>> On 2021-05-04 11:12 a.m., Sheldon Martin wrote:
>>> On Tue, 4 May 2021 Dave Smith wrote:
>>
>>
>>>> Some people can't. I had a good friend who owed so much his credit card
>>>> that he had a hard time making the minimum payment. One of my nephews
>>>> owed a lot and later told me it was over $30,000.Â* His parents helped
>>>> him get it consolidated and a bank loan to pay off the credit cards. As
>>>> soon as that was done he was out there charging up a storm again.
>>>
>>> Credit card companies set a limit on how much one can charge, the most
>>> one can charge on plastic is about $15,000.Â* Get to half that amount
>>> and they place a stop on the card and they phone you at the register
>>> for approval.Â* I had my Visa set to a $10,000 limit.Â* Normal people
>>> don't want a high maximum, credit card interest is absurdidly high.Â* I
>>> pay my Visa every month, I've never paid any interest.Â* The main
>>> reason I have a credit card is so I can make purchases on line.
>>
>>
>> I doubt these guys only had one credit card.
>>
>> Normally I only use my credit card for a few things, like
>> subscriptions. In days of yore it was a pain in the butt to write a
>> cheque, so I used credit cards for convenience. It was easier than
>> writing a cheque where you had to fill out all sorts of information
>> and show multiple IDs. I occasionally used one if I wanted to buy
>> something and we were a little short but had money coming in.Â* Now I
>> use it for online purchases.Â* I always pay it off at the end of the
>> month. AAMOF, my wife was at the bank to pay MasterCard yesterday. She
>> had the statement but had the teller check the current balance and
>> paid the extra.
>>
>
> What I can't understand is that my credit rating, obtainable when I do
> any online banking, has just dropped to just below 800. It usually sits
> at 870 but should be 900 as I have no debts, apart from modest credit
> card balances that I pay off promptly every month.
>

Can you get a copy of your credit report to check for errors? Maybe
someone bought a new Lamborghini and put the loan in your name.

Ed Pawlowski wrote:

> On 5/4/2021 2:44 PM, Graham wrote:

> > What I can't understand is that my credit rating, obtainable when I
> > do any online banking, has just dropped to just below 800. It
> > usually sits at 870 but should be 900 as I have no debts, apart
> > from modest credit card balances that I pay off promptly every
> > month.
> >
>
> Can you get a copy of your credit report to check for errors? Maybe
> someone bought a new Lamborghini and put the loan in your name.

Americans and their credit rating. I don't even know if I have one.

--
The real Dr. Bruce posts with uni-berlin.de - individual.net

On Tuesday, May 4, 2021 at 3:50:28 PM UTC-4, Dr. Bruce wrote:
> Ed Pawlowski wrote:
>
> > On 5/4/2021 2:44 PM, Graham wrote:
>
> > > What I can't understand is that my credit rating, obtainable when I
> > > do any online banking, has just dropped to just below 800. It
> > > usually sits at 870 but should be 900 as I have no debts, apart
> > > from modest credit card balances that I pay off promptly every
> > > month.
> > >
> >
> > Can you get a copy of your credit report to check for errors? Maybe
> > someone bought a new Lamborghini and put the loan in your name.
> Americans and their credit rating. I don't even know if I have one.

I know I have one, but I don't think about it unless I want to take out a loan.
Which I haven't done since 2006 when we took out a home equity loan to
build my husband's workshop.

As for Graham's credit rating, having too much available credit, no matter
how responsibly you use it, can reduce your credit score.

Cindy Hamilton

On 2021-05-04 1:53 p.m., Cindy Hamilton wrote:
> On Tuesday, May 4, 2021 at 3:50:28 PM UTC-4, Dr. Bruce wrote:
>> Ed Pawlowski wrote:
>>
>>> On 5/4/2021 2:44 PM, Graham wrote:
>>
>>>> What I can't understand is that my credit rating, obtainable when I
>>>> do any online banking, has just dropped to just below 800. It
>>>> usually sits at 870 but should be 900 as I have no debts, apart
>>>> from modest credit card balances that I pay off promptly every
>>>> month.
>>>>
>>>
>>> Can you get a copy of your credit report to check for errors? Maybe
>>> someone bought a new Lamborghini and put the loan in your name.
>> Americans and their credit rating. I don't even know if I have one.
>
> I know I have one, but I don't think about it unless I want to take out a loan.
> Which I haven't done since 2006 when we took out a home equity loan to
> build my husband's workshop.
>
> As for Graham's credit rating, having too much available credit, no matter
> how responsibly you use it, can reduce your credit score.
>
> Cindy Hamilton
>
Weird. I don't know why I'm bothered. I have only kept an eye on it
since the bank added it to the webpage. I lived for over 40 years in
Canada without knowing or caring what it was.
I'm not really concerned as my bank informs me by daily e-mails of every
transaction on my accounts.

On 2021-05-04 1:45 p.m., Ed Pawlowski wrote:
> On 5/4/2021 2:44 PM, Graham wrote:
>> On 2021-05-04 9:20 a.m., Dave Smith wrote:
>>> On 2021-05-04 11:12 a.m., Sheldon Martin wrote:
>>>> On Tue, 4 May 2021 Dave Smith wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>>> Some people can't. I had a good friend who owed so much his credit
>>>>> card
>>>>> that he had a hard time making the minimum payment. One of my nephews
>>>>> owed a lot and later told me it was over $30,000.Â* His parents helped
>>>>> him get it consolidated and a bank loan to pay off the credit
>>>>> cards. As
>>>>> soon as that was done he was out there charging up a storm again.
>>>>
>>>> Credit card companies set a limit on how much one can charge, the most
>>>> one can charge on plastic is about $15,000.Â* Get to half that amount
>>>> and they place a stop on the card and they phone you at the register
>>>> for approval.Â* I had my Visa set to a $10,000 limit.Â* Normal people
>>>> don't want a high maximum, credit card interest is absurdidly high.Â* I
>>>> pay my Visa every month, I've never paid any interest.Â* The main
>>>> reason I have a credit card is so I can make purchases on line.
>>>
>>>
>>> I doubt these guys only had one credit card.
>>>
>>> Normally I only use my credit card for a few things, like
>>> subscriptions. In days of yore it was a pain in the butt to write a
>>> cheque, so I used credit cards for convenience. It was easier than
>>> writing a cheque where you had to fill out all sorts of information
>>> and show multiple IDs. I occasionally used one if I wanted to buy
>>> something and we were a little short but had money coming in.Â* Now I
>>> use it for online purchases.Â* I always pay it off at the end of the
>>> month. AAMOF, my wife was at the bank to pay MasterCard yesterday.
>>> She had the statement but had the teller check the current balance
>>> and paid the extra.
>>>
>>
>> What I can't understand is that my credit rating, obtainable when I do
>> any online banking, has just dropped to just below 800. It usually
>> sits at 870 but should be 900 as I have no debts, apart from modest
>> credit card balances that I pay off promptly every month.
>>
>
> Can you get a copy of your credit report to check for errors?Â* Maybe
> someone bought a new Lamborghini and put the loan in your name.

It has done this sort of thing before and it usually flips back to 870
the following month. I'll check it again next week after the monthly update.

Cindy Hamilton wrote:

> On Tuesday, May 4, 2021 at 3:50:28 PM UTC-4, Dr. Bruce wrote:
> > Ed Pawlowski wrote:
> >
> > > On 5/4/2021 2:44 PM, Graham wrote:
> >
> > > > What I can't understand is that my credit rating, obtainable
> > > > when I do any online banking, has just dropped to just below
> > > > 800. It usually sits at 870 but should be 900 as I have no
> > > > debts, apart from modest credit card balances that I pay off
> > > > promptly every month.
> > > >
> > >
> > > Can you get a copy of your credit report to check for errors?
> > > Maybe someone bought a new Lamborghini and put the loan in your
> > > name.
> > Americans and their credit rating. I don't even know if I have one.
>
> I know I have one, but I don't think about it unless I want to take
> out a loan. Which I haven't done since 2006 when we took out a home
> equity loan to build my husband's workshop.

I'd only take out a loan for a mortgage. They look at our income more
than anything else. Since we won't buy a house above our means, that
won't be a problem. Credit rating? No idea.

--
The real Dr. Bruce posts with uni-berlin.de - individual.net

On 2021-05-04 2:44 p.m., Graham wrote:
> On 2021-05-04 9:20 a.m., Dave Smith wrote:

>> Normally I only use my credit card for a few things, like
>> subscriptions. In days of yore it was a pain in the butt to write a
>> cheque, so I used credit cards for convenience. It was easier than
>> writing a cheque where you had to fill out all sorts of information
>> and show multiple IDs. I occasionally used one if I wanted to buy
>> something and we were a little short but had money coming in.Â* Now I
>> use it for online purchases.Â* I always pay it off at the end of the
>> month. AAMOF, my wife was at the bank to pay MasterCard yesterday. She
>> had the statement but had the teller check the current balance and
>> paid the extra.
>>
>
> What I can't understand is that my credit rating, obtainable when I do
> any online banking, has just dropped to just below 800. It usually sits
> at 870 but should be 900 as I have no debts, apart from modest credit
> card balances that I pay off promptly every month.
>

I should check mine. My biggest problem might be that I don't have any
outstanding debt. I paid off my mortgage 26 years ago. I had a small
loan on the car because interest was less than I was getting on the
money, but that was paid off in three years. I pay off my credit cards
monthly. I have no debt for them to rate.

On 5/4/2021 4:18 PM, Dave Smith wrote:


>>
>
> I should check mine. My biggest problem might be that I don't have any
> outstanding debt. I paid off my mortgage 26 years ago. I had a small
> loan on the car because interest was less than I was getting on the
> money, but that was paid off in three years. I pay off my credit cards
> monthly. I have no debt for them to rate.

If you have a credit card you have a rating.

Ed Pawlowski wrote:

> On 5/4/2021 4:18 PM, Dave Smith wrote:
>
>
> > >
> >
> > I should check mine. My biggest problem might be that I don't have
> > any outstanding debt. I paid off my mortgage 26 years ago. I had a
> > small loan on the car because interest was less than I was getting
> > on the money, but that was paid off in three years. I pay off my
> > credit cards monthly. I have no debt for them to rate.
>
> If you have a credit card you have a rating.

I have a credit card, so l I must have a rating then!

--
The real Dr. Bruce posts with uni-berlin.de - individual.net

Dr. Bruce wrote:
> Ed Pawlowski wrote:
>
>> On 5/4/2021 2:44 PM, Graham wrote:
>
>>> What I can't understand is that my credit rating, obtainable when I
>>> do any online banking, has just dropped to just below 800. It
>>> usually sits at 870 but should be 900 as I have no debts, apart
>>> from modest credit card balances that I pay off promptly every
>>> month.
>>>
>>
>> Can you get a copy of your credit report to check for errors? Maybe
>> someone bought a new Lamborghini and put the loan in your name.
>
> Americans and their credit rating. I don't even know if I have one.
>

Credits for ass sniffing maybe.

On 5/4/2021 4:34 PM, Ed Pawlowski wrote:
> On 5/4/2021 4:18 PM, Dave Smith wrote:
>
>
>>>
>>
>> I should check mine. My biggest problem might be that I don't have any
>> outstanding debt. I paid off my mortgage 26 years ago. I had a small
>> loan on the car because interest was less than I was getting on the
>> money, but that was paid off in three years. I pay off my credit cards
>> monthly. I have no debt for them to rate.
>
> If you have a credit card you have a rating.

Sure, but don't you remember the days before most folks had never heard
of "credit scores" and FICO, much less thought about what their numbers
were?

Now all I see on TV are ads about boosting your credit score. A minor
celebrity riding a purple cow, really? LOL If you can simply tap an app
on your smartphone of or go on their website and instantly increase your
FICO score, how much can that number possibly mean?

"Credit rating" was different back in the day. I had no real credit to
speak of (other than a JC Penney card and a history of paying rent,
utility bills, phone bills, etc. on time). When I went to the bank to
take out a loan for my first new car in 1982 my credit history showed I
had no outstanding debts, paid my bills on time, employed full time and
never been overdrawn nor bounced a check. I qualified for a loan from
the bank, no co-signer. They didn't talk about "scores". They looked
at actual data. And yes, I never missed a payment and paid that loan
off in 3 years.

Seems to me all this FICO score stuff has only recently started being
shoved in our faces.

Jill

On 5/4/2021 7:35 PM, jmcquown wrote:
> On 5/4/2021 4:34 PM, Ed Pawlowski wrote:
>> On 5/4/2021 4:18 PM, Dave Smith wrote:
>>
>>
>>>>
>>>
>>> I should check mine. My biggest problem might be that I don't have
>>> any outstanding debt. I paid off my mortgage 26 years ago. I had a
>>> small loan on the car because interest was less than I was getting on
>>> the money, but that was paid off in three years. I pay off my credit
>>> cards monthly. I have no debt for them to rate.
>>
>> If you have a credit card you have a rating.
>
> Sure, but don't you remember the days before most folks had never heard
> of "credit scores" and FICO, much less thought about what their numbers
> were?
>
> Now all I see on TV are ads about boosting your credit score.Â* A minor
> celebrity riding a purple cow, really? LOLÂ* If you can simply tap an app
> on your smartphone of or go on their website and instantly increase your
> FICO score, how much can that number possibly mean?
>
> "Credit rating" was different back in the day.Â* I had no real credit to
> speak of (other than a JC Penney card and a history of paying rent,
> utility bills, phone bills, etc. on time).Â* When I went to the bank to
> take out a loan for my first new car in 1982 my credit history showed I
> had no outstanding debts, paid my bills on time, employed full time and
> never been overdrawn nor bounced a check.Â* I qualified for a loan from
> the bank, no co-signer.Â* They didn't talk about "scores".Â* They looked
> at actual data.Â* And yes, I never missed a payment and paid that loan
> off in 3 years.
>
> Seems to me all this FICO score stuff has only recently started being
> shoved in our faces.
>
> Jill

The score has been around a long time but there is someone that will
find a way to make a buck from it.

Perhaps for some to be aware they will form better money habits to keep
their score up. I recently read an article that said 760 is the magic
number to get the best rates.

On 5/4/2021 8:30 PM, Ed Pawlowski wrote:
> On 5/4/2021 7:35 PM, jmcquown wrote:
>> On 5/4/2021 4:34 PM, Ed Pawlowski wrote:
>>> On 5/4/2021 4:18 PM, Dave Smith wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>> I should check mine. My biggest problem might be that I don't have
>>>> any outstanding debt. I paid off my mortgage 26 years ago. I had a
>>>> small loan on the car because interest was less than I was getting
>>>> on the money, but that was paid off in three years. I pay off my
>>>> credit cards monthly. I have no debt for them to rate.
>>>
>>> If you have a credit card you have a rating.
>>
>> Sure, but don't you remember the days before most folks had never
>> heard of "credit scores" and FICO, much less thought about what their
>> numbers were?
>>
>> Now all I see on TV are ads about boosting your credit score.Â* A minor
>> celebrity riding a purple cow, really? LOLÂ* If you can simply tap an
>> app on your smartphone of or go on their website and instantly
>> increase your FICO score, how much can that number possibly mean?
>>
>> "Credit rating" was different back in the day.Â* I had no real credit
>> to speak of (other than a JC Penney card and a history of paying rent,
>> utility bills, phone bills, etc. on time).Â* When I went to the bank to
>> take out a loan for my first new car in 1982 my credit history showed
>> I had no outstanding debts, paid my bills on time, employed full time
>> and never been overdrawn nor bounced a check.Â* I qualified for a loan
>> from the bank, no co-signer.Â* They didn't talk about "scores".Â* They
>> looked at actual data.Â* And yes, I never missed a payment and paid
>> that loan off in 3 years.
>>
>> Seems to me all this FICO score stuff has only recently started being
>> shoved in our faces.
>>
>> Jill
>
> The score has been around a long time but there is someone that will
> find a way to make a buck from it.
>
> Perhaps for some to be aware they will form better money habits to keep
> their score up.Â* I recently read an article that said 760 is the magic
> number to get the best rates.

I suppose if you're looking for "rates" for something, it matters. I'm
not one of those people. I'm not looking to take out any loans for
anything.

Jill

jmcquown wrote:

> On 5/4/2021 8:30 PM, Ed Pawlowski wrote:
> > On 5/4/2021 7:35 PM, jmcquown wrote:
> > > On 5/4/2021 4:34 PM, Ed Pawlowski wrote:
> > > > On 5/4/2021 4:18 PM, Dave Smith wrote:
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > I should check mine. My biggest problem might be that I don't
> > > > > have any outstanding debt. I paid off my mortgage 26 years
> > > > > ago. I had a small loan on the car because interest was less
> > > > > than I was getting on the money, but that was paid off in
> > > > > three years. I pay off my credit cards monthly. I have no
> > > > > debt for them to rate.
> > > >
> > > > If you have a credit card you have a rating.
> > >
> > > Sure, but don't you remember the days before most folks had never
> > > heard of "credit scores" and FICO, much less thought about what
> > > their numbers were?
> > >
> > > Now all I see on TV are ads about boosting your credit score.Â* A
> > > minor celebrity riding a purple cow, really? LOLÂ* If you can
> > > simply tap an app on your smartphone of or go on their website
> > > and instantly increase your FICO score, how much can that number
> > > possibly mean?
> > >
> > > "Credit rating" was different back in the day.Â* I had no real
> > > credit to speak of (other than a JC Penney card and a history of
> > > paying rent, utility bills, phone bills, etc. on time).Â* When I
> > > went to the bank to take out a loan for my first new car in 1982
> > > my credit history showed I had no outstanding debts, paid my
> > > bills on time, employed full time and never been overdrawn nor
> > > bounced a check.Â* I qualified for a loan from the bank, no
> > > co-signer.Â* They didn't talk about "scores".Â* They looked at
> > > actual data.Â* And yes, I never missed a payment and paid that
> > > loan off in 3 years.
> > >
> > > Seems to me all this FICO score stuff has only recently started
> > > being shoved in our faces.
> > >
> > > Jill
> >
> > The score has been around a long time but there is someone that
> > will find a way to make a buck from it.
> >
> > Perhaps for some to be aware they will form better money habits to
> > keep their score up.Â* I recently read an article that said 760 is
> > the magic number to get the best rates.
>
> I suppose if you're looking for "rates" for something, it matters.
> I'm not one of those people. I'm not looking to take out any loans
> for anything.
>
> Jill

How about your brothers?

--
The real Dr. Bruce posts with uni-berlin.de - individual.net

Graham wrote:

> On 2021-05-04 9:20 a.m., Dave Smith wrote:
> > On 2021-05-04 11:12 a.m., Sheldon Martin wrote:
> > > On Tue, 4 May 2021 Dave Smith wrote:
> >
> >
> > > > Some people can't. I had a good friend who owed so much his
> > > > credit card that he had a hard time making the minimum payment.
> > > > One of my nephews owed a lot and later told me it was over
> > > > $30,000.Â* His parents helped him get it consolidated and a bank
> > > > loan to pay off the credit cards. As soon as that was done he
> > > > was out there charging up a storm again.
> > >
> > > Credit card companies set a limit on how much one can charge, the
> > > most one can charge on plastic is about $15,000.Â* Get to half
> > > that amount and they place a stop on the card and they phone you
> > > at the register for approval.Â* I had my Visa set to a $10,000
> > > limit.Â* Normal people don't want a high maximum, credit card
> > > interest is absurdidly high.Â* I pay my Visa every month, I've
> > > never paid any interest.Â* The main reason I have a credit card is
> > > so I can make purchases on line.
> >
> >
> > I doubt these guys only had one credit card.
> >
> > Normally I only use my credit card for a few things, like
> > subscriptions. In days of yore it was a pain in the butt to write
> > a cheque, so I used credit cards for convenience. It was easier
> > than writing a cheque where you had to fill out all sorts of
> > information and show multiple IDs. I occasionally used one if I
> > wanted to buy something and we were a little short but had money
> > coming in.Â* Now I use it for online purchases.Â* I always pay it
> > off at the end of the month. AAMOF, my wife was at the bank to pay
> > MasterCard yesterday. She had the statement but had the teller
> > check the current balance and paid the extra.
> >
>
> What I can't understand is that my credit rating, obtainable when I
> do any online banking, has just dropped to just below 800. It usually
> sits at 870 but should be 900 as I have no debts, apart from modest
> credit card balances that I pay off promptly every month.

Different systems. Mine does the 1-850 scale. I was riding at 841 for
a long time then paid off the car and it dropped to 833. 'I didn't owe
enough'. Now it's hampered but 13,500 or so owed on the house on a 33K
loan. It will go lower when I pay that off as 'I don't owe anything'.
Silly but humans figure it out.

On 2021-05-04 7:38 p.m., cshenk wrote:
> Graham wrote:
>
>> On 2021-05-04 9:20 a.m., Dave Smith wrote:
>>> On 2021-05-04 11:12 a.m., Sheldon Martin wrote:
>>>> On Tue, 4 May 2021 Dave Smith wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>>> Some people can't. I had a good friend who owed so much his
>>>>> credit card that he had a hard time making the minimum payment.
>>>>> One of my nephews owed a lot and later told me it was over
>>>>> $30,000.Â* His parents helped him get it consolidated and a bank
>>>>> loan to pay off the credit cards. As soon as that was done he
>>>>> was out there charging up a storm again.
>>>>
>>>> Credit card companies set a limit on how much one can charge, the
>>>> most one can charge on plastic is about $15,000.Â* Get to half
>>>> that amount and they place a stop on the card and they phone you
>>>> at the register for approval.Â* I had my Visa set to a $10,000
>>>> limit.Â* Normal people don't want a high maximum, credit card
>>>> interest is absurdidly high.Â* I pay my Visa every month, I've
>>>> never paid any interest.Â* The main reason I have a credit card is
>>>> so I can make purchases on line.
>>>
>>>
>>> I doubt these guys only had one credit card.
>>>
>>> Normally I only use my credit card for a few things, like
>>> subscriptions. In days of yore it was a pain in the butt to write
>>> a cheque, so I used credit cards for convenience. It was easier
>>> than writing a cheque where you had to fill out all sorts of
>>> information and show multiple IDs. I occasionally used one if I
>>> wanted to buy something and we were a little short but had money
>>> coming in.Â* Now I use it for online purchases.Â* I always pay it
>>> off at the end of the month. AAMOF, my wife was at the bank to pay
>>> MasterCard yesterday. She had the statement but had the teller
>>> check the current balance and paid the extra.
>>>
>>
>> What I can't understand is that my credit rating, obtainable when I
>> do any online banking, has just dropped to just below 800. It usually
>> sits at 870 but should be 900 as I have no debts, apart from modest
>> credit card balances that I pay off promptly every month.
>
> Different systems. Mine does the 1-850 scale. I was riding at 841 for
> a long time then paid off the car and it dropped to 833. 'I didn't owe
> enough'. Now it's hampered but 13,500 or so owed on the house on a 33K
> loan. It will go lower when I pay that off as 'I don't owe anything'.
> Silly but humans figure it out.
>
Perhaps because you owe something. it means that to get that loan, you
are considered credit-worthy. Therefore your rating goes up:-)

On Tuesday, May 4, 2021 at 8:30:33 PM UTC-4, Ed Pawlowski wrote:
> On 5/4/2021 7:35 PM, jmcquown wrote:
> > On 5/4/2021 4:34 PM, Ed Pawlowski wrote:
> >> On 5/4/2021 4:18 PM, Dave Smith wrote:
> >>
> >>
> >>>>
> >>>
> >>> I should check mine. My biggest problem might be that I don't have
> >>> any outstanding debt. I paid off my mortgage 26 years ago. I had a
> >>> small loan on the car because interest was less than I was getting on
> >>> the money, but that was paid off in three years. I pay off my credit
> >>> cards monthly. I have no debt for them to rate.
> >>
> >> If you have a credit card you have a rating.
> >
> > Sure, but don't you remember the days before most folks had never heard
> > of "credit scores" and FICO, much less thought about what their numbers
> > were?
> >
> > Now all I see on TV are ads about boosting your credit score. A minor
> > celebrity riding a purple cow, really? LOL If you can simply tap an app
> > on your smartphone of or go on their website and instantly increase your
> > FICO score, how much can that number possibly mean?
> >
> > "Credit rating" was different back in the day. I had no real credit to
> > speak of (other than a JC Penney card and a history of paying rent,
> > utility bills, phone bills, etc. on time). When I went to the bank to
> > take out a loan for my first new car in 1982 my credit history showed I
> > had no outstanding debts, paid my bills on time, employed full time and
> > never been overdrawn nor bounced a check. I qualified for a loan from
> > the bank, no co-signer. They didn't talk about "scores". They looked
> > at actual data. And yes, I never missed a payment and paid that loan
> > off in 3 years.
> >
> > Seems to me all this FICO score stuff has only recently started being
> > shoved in our faces.
> >
> > Jill
> The score has been around a long time but there is someone that will
> find a way to make a buck from it.

The Internet made it easy to monetize a lot of stuff. Before it was possible
to click a button on a website, you'd have to write a letter to the credit bureau
or ask the loan officer when you applied for a loan (and they didn't have to
tell you unless you were denied the loan on that basis).

Cindy Hamilton

On Tuesday, May 4, 2021 at 6:36:05 PM UTC-5, wrote:
> On 5/4/2021 4:34 PM, Ed Pawlowski wrote:
> > On 5/4/2021 4:18 PM, Dave Smith wrote:
> >
> >
> >>>
> >>
> >> I should check mine. My biggest problem might be that I don't have any
> >> outstanding debt. I paid off my mortgage 26 years ago. I had a small
> >> loan on the car because interest was less than I was getting on the
> >> money, but that was paid off in three years. I pay off my credit cards
> >> monthly. I have no debt for them to rate.
> >
> > If you have a credit card you have a rating.
> Sure, but don't you remember the days before most folks had never heard
> of "credit scores" and FICO, much less thought about what their numbers
> were?
>
> Now all I see on TV are ads about boosting your credit score. A minor
> celebrity riding a purple cow, really? LOL If you can simply tap an app
> on your smartphone of or go on their website and instantly increase your
> FICO score, how much can that number possibly mean?
>
> "Credit rating" was different back in the day. I had no real credit to
> speak of (other than a JC Penney card and a history of paying rent,
> utility bills, phone bills, etc. on time). When I went to the bank to
> take out a loan for my first new car in 1982 my credit history showed I
> had no outstanding debts, paid my bills on time, employed full time and
> never been overdrawn nor bounced a check. I qualified for a loan from
> the bank, no co-signer. They didn't talk about "scores". They looked
> at actual data. And yes, I never missed a payment and paid that loan
> off in 3 years.
>
> Seems to me all this FICO score stuff has only recently started being
> shoved in our faces.
>
It's been that way for decades. Folks just talk about it more these days.
>
> Jill
>
--Bryan

Boron Elgar wrote:
> Be that as it may, it is a stunningly high percentage of people who do
> not have the financial depth to cover even small emergencies.

Many people live paycheck to paycheck. I've worked with a few.
Get paid on Friday and borrowing money for lunch the next week.

In my business, work is often "feast or famine." You can work full time
and even extra hours for awhile. Then along comes weeks with no work or
at least short hours.

I learned long ago live frugal and to "save for a rainy day."

Graham wrote:
> What I can't understand is that my credit rating, obtainable when I do
> any online banking, has just dropped to just below 800. It usually sits
> at 870 but should be 900 as I have no debts, apart from modest credit
> card balances that I pay off promptly every month.

From what I understand, they look at your "potential" debt. Even with
one credit card that's used and paid off each month (like me), they look
at your credit limit because at any point, you could charge it up to
that limit.

To have extra credit cards that you never use, can take down your score.
They seem to base your score on potential debt, not current debt or
timely payments.

Dr. Bruce wrote:
> Americans and their credit rating. I don't even know if I have one.

I think everyone has one but I don't worry about it. I've never checked
mine but it must be pretty good because I get a "good credit" discount
on my auto insurance. I still don't understand why my credit rating
gives me an insurance discount. One would think that your drivers
history would matter more to them.

On 5/5/2021 10:38 AM, Gary wrote:
> Â*Dr. Bruce wrote:
>> Americans and their credit rating. I don't even know if I have one.
>
> I think everyone has one but I don't worry about it. I've never checked
> mine but it must be pretty good because I get a "good credit" discount
> on my auto insurance.Â* I still don't understand why my credit rating
> gives me an insurance discount. One would think that your drivers
> history would matter more to them.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
Actuaries figure in all sorts of things. People with better credit
ratings are more responsible than people in the dumper. You can be sure
they have real numbers on accident frequency or comprehensive claims.

On Wednesday, May 5, 2021 at 10:38:18 AM UTC-4, Gary wrote:
> Dr. Bruce wrote:
> > Americans and their credit rating. I don't even know if I have one.
> I think everyone has one but I don't worry about it. I've never checked
> mine but it must be pretty good because I get a "good credit" discount
> on my auto insurance. I still don't understand why my credit rating
> gives me an insurance discount. One would think that your drivers
> history would matter more to them.

It's a pattern of behaviors. If you're careless with money, you'll likely
be careless in other areas of your life.

Cindy Hamilton

On Wednesday, May 5, 2021 at 10:24:54 AM UTC-5, Heywood wrote:
> On 5/5/2021 10:38 AM, Gary wrote:
> > Dr. Bruce wrote:
> >> Americans and their credit rating. I don't even know if I have one.
> >
> > I think everyone has one but I don't worry about it. I've never checked
> > mine but it must be pretty good because I get a "good credit" discount
> > on my auto insurance. I still don't understand why my credit rating
> > gives me an insurance discount. One would think that your drivers
> > history would matter more to them.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> Actuaries figure in all sorts of things. People with better credit
> ratings are more responsible than people in the dumper. You can be sure
> they have real numbers on accident frequency or comprehensive claims.
>
That is a concise and accurate answer.
>
--Bryan

On 05/05/2021 15:31, Gary wrote:
> Boron Elgar wrote:
>> Be that as it may, it is a stunningly high percentage of people who do
>> not have the financial depth to cover even small emergencies.
>
> Many people live paycheck to paycheck. I've worked with a few.
> Get paid on Friday and borrowing money for lunch the next week.
>
> In my business, work is often "feast or famine." You can work full time
> and even extra hours for awhile. Then along comes weeks with no work or
> at least short hours.
>
> I learned long ago live frugal and to "save for a rainy day."
>
===

You said earlier that you will be stocking up when you daughter comes)

I am sure you will be fine

On 2021-05-05 10:38 a.m., Gary wrote:
> Â*Dr. Bruce wrote:
>> Americans and their credit rating. I don't even know if I have one.
>
> I think everyone has one but I don't worry about it. I've never checked
> mine but it must be pretty good because I get a "good credit" discount
> on my auto insurance.Â* I still don't understand why my credit rating
> gives me an insurance discount. One would think that your drivers
> history would matter more to them.
>
>


Mine must have gone down the tubes because I no longer get mail and
email with offers for pre=approved credit cards and loans.

;-)

On Wednesday, May 5, 2021 at 1:57:03 PM UTC-4, Dave Smith wrote:
> On 2021-05-05 10:38 a.m., Gary wrote:
> > Dr. Bruce wrote:
> >> Americans and their credit rating. I don't even know if I have one.
> >
> > I think everyone has one but I don't worry about it. I've never checked
> > mine but it must be pretty good because I get a "good credit" discount
> > on my auto insurance. I still don't understand why my credit rating
> > gives me an insurance discount. One would think that your drivers
> > history would matter more to them.
> >
> >
> Mine must have gone down the tubes because I no longer get mail and
> email with offers for pre=approved credit cards and loans.
>
> ;-)

I've been getting a bunch of offers to help me deal with my college loans,
which I was stupid enough to pay off in the 1970s. Just think how cool
it would be to get that loan forgiveness that the liberals are always talking
about.

Cindy Hamilton