What’s your number? Credit score number, that is

I’ve temporarily abandoned my hope of finding a dream home on my budget after nearly a year of searching. I’m tired of seeing oil paintings of Jesus watching over a truck, eyeless naked baby dolls, and wood paneling. God am I sick of the wood paneling! If anyone can tell me why it was trendy to cover your walls and ceilings with fake wood, please email me and explain.

So my boyfriend Awesome and I decided to find a new place. There were a number of reasons why my current apartment, into which Awesome moved a few months ago, is now unsatisfactory to us. The new place will give us more space, more light, a washer/dryer and allow us to own a dog.

Of course, every time you move into a new place, the landlord (if he’s good) will usually ask for a background and credit check to make sure you are A) not a convicted murderer, and B) going to pay the rent on time and every month. I’m kind of a nut job when it comes to my credit – I am one of those people who pulls their credit report twice a year to make sure nothing weird is on there.

So it came as a surprise to me to discover that there are dating sites out there that actually use credit scores as an indicator for compatibility. The sites have horribly boring names like datemycreditscore.com and creditscoredating.com and after I checked them out, don’t really seem reputable so I would not recommend joining one unless you want spam in your inbox. But even if you don’t use a site, the trend of asking potential mates what their scores are seems to be gaining momentum.

When you really think about it, it does make sense. Maybe those dating sites are just trying to help people avoid a future divorce. A recent study released by Kansas State University assistant professor of family studies and human services and program director of personal financial planning Sonya Britt revealed that fights over money are the most common reason for divorce. If you and your significant other share excellent credit scores, you may have some of the same financial views and habits, and could have a better chance at surviving money woes in the future.

On the other hand, it seems horribly intrusive. My credit score is pretty good and I still wouldn’t reveal that information to just anyone – especially not someone I just met. Additionally, just because you have a shitty credit score doesn’t mean you are a horrible person, or that you can’t change your habits. I know quite a few people whose credit scores were in the toilet during their college or first post-college years, only to see them rise once they got used to living on their own. Someone very close to me filed bankruptcy years ago, and today is one of the most budget-conscious persons I’ve ever met.

Bottom line is, you may want to add “good credit score” to your list of wants for your future spouse, but I wouldn’t advise bringing it up on your first ten dates unless he tries to get you to dine and dash. Of course, in that case you don’t even need to check his credit, because he’s just an asshole.

And if you are truly at a loss, just remember the words of the very first boy band: “Money can’t buy me love.”

Emily Campbell

Emily Little (nee Campbell) was a perpetually single girl who recently met and married her Mr. Right. Her blog, Dating Emily, has been a two-year diary of her adventures in relationships. Her life of bar-hopping and casual dating has turned into one of dog-walking, craft-making and budgeting for eventual home ownership. But just because she can make a mean casserole doesn’t mean her adventures are over. As she prepares to become a first-time homeowner and eventually, a mom, she is discovering that the adventure may just be beginning.