Personal Finance

It’s wildly bullshit that medical debt affects credit score, yeah. My condolences by the way, though I know it means little from internet strangers. I think medical debt gets removed after seven years though so the score could rise. Not sure if you have to dispute it manually, but it shouldn’t affect you for too long (in the span of your life).

If you’re not planning to also game the system the score obv doesn’t matter either way though. I don’t actually know my score, which is probably weird in a thread specifically about credit scores. It’s its own bullshit system, largely in part because stuff like medical debt counts there. And really the concept of three companies keeping track of everyone’s financial data, mismanaging the information, and profiting from it is just kind of garbage.

That said, if you do ever actually want to start, having a low score isn’t a huge hurdle. There are plenty of cards for low scores like Discover which is 1% back. By keeping the same life habits but using a credit card instead, you do come out on top very easily. If you set an autopay you never carry debt, and you also save just the teensiest amount through delayed paying and can generate interest on the money you use to pay it. Of course there’s no need to ever start, especially if you don’t have use for the extra money.

No worries about any snark! I try to read things in the most positive way these days. Hope you’re doing well out there!