Sign up to save your podcasts
Or
Share The Credit Score Obsession—And Why It’s Not a Life Score
Share to email
Share to Facebook
Share to X
Share to email
Share to Facebook
Share to X
Or
The Credit Score Obsession—And Why It’s Not a Life Score
Is your credit score helping you, or just keeping you stuck in debt? Also, how can you prioritize your actual financial well-being over your credit score?
In this episode, Ben Matthews challenges the pervasive obsession with credit scores, asserting that this three-digit number is merely a "debt behavior score" and not a reflection of your financial success. He emphasizes that true financial freedom comes from building invisible wealth, managing bills without panic, and having a plan for unexpected challenges, rather than meticulously maintaining a perfect score.
Topics Ben explores in this episode:
(1:17) The Myth of the Magic Number
Your credit score is not your GPA for adulthood—it’s a debt behavior score.
The system rewards borrowing and punishes debt freedom.
People fear hurting their score more than missing peace of mind.
(2:12) The Credit Score Trap
Paying off debt can temporarily hurt your score—and that’s okay.
Financial health is about stability, savings, and freedom—not points.
You can still keep your score healthy with practical, non-obsessive habits.
(2:54) What Actually Matters
True wealth is invisible—like flexibility, security, and peace of mind.
Credit scores can be helpful, but they’re not your identity.
Your challenge: stop checking your score and do one real wealth-building action.
(3:47) Six Credit Score Survival Tips
1. Don’t Close Old Credit Cards (Yet).
2. Keep Your Credit Utilization Low.
3. Pay On Time, Every Time.
4. Don’t Apply for a Bunch of New Credit.
5. If You’re Paying Off Debt Aggressively, Pick Your Priorities.
6. Check Your Score—But Don’t Obsess.
Learn more: https://debtsucks.info
Talk with Ben Matthews: 803-799-1700
Subscribe to the Debt Sucks Podcast!
Apple: https://apple.co/3Fz2vXE
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/4kvltyl
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DebtSucksPod
Facebook: https://facebook.com/debtsuxspod
Instagram: https://instagram.com/debtsuckspod
TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@debtsuckspod
X: https://x.com/debtsuckspod
The Debt Sucks Podcast is your fun, no-BS approach to debt relief. Say goodbye to stress, shame, and debt. Hosted by consumer bankruptcy attorney Ben Matthews, this is your weekly dose of real, relatable advice on crushing debt. If you’re dealing with mounting bills or sick of living paycheck to paycheck, we’re here to help you take control of your finances and find your way out.
This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.storyon.co/
View all episodes
By Ben MatthewsIs your credit score helping you, or just keeping you stuck in debt? Also, how can you prioritize your actual financial well-being over your credit score?
In this episode, Ben Matthews challenges the pervasive obsession with credit scores, asserting that this three-digit number is merely a "debt behavior score" and not a reflection of your financial success. He emphasizes that true financial freedom comes from building invisible wealth, managing bills without panic, and having a plan for unexpected challenges, rather than meticulously maintaining a perfect score.
Topics Ben explores in this episode:
(1:17) The Myth of the Magic Number
Your credit score is not your GPA for adulthood—it’s a debt behavior score.
The system rewards borrowing and punishes debt freedom.
People fear hurting their score more than missing peace of mind.
(2:12) The Credit Score Trap
Paying off debt can temporarily hurt your score—and that’s okay.
Financial health is about stability, savings, and freedom—not points.
You can still keep your score healthy with practical, non-obsessive habits.
(2:54) What Actually Matters
True wealth is invisible—like flexibility, security, and peace of mind.
Credit scores can be helpful, but they’re not your identity.
Your challenge: stop checking your score and do one real wealth-building action.
(3:47) Six Credit Score Survival Tips
1. Don’t Close Old Credit Cards (Yet).
2. Keep Your Credit Utilization Low.
3. Pay On Time, Every Time.
4. Don’t Apply for a Bunch of New Credit.
5. If You’re Paying Off Debt Aggressively, Pick Your Priorities.
6. Check Your Score—But Don’t Obsess.
Learn more: https://debtsucks.info
Talk with Ben Matthews: 803-799-1700
Subscribe to the Debt Sucks Podcast!
Apple: https://apple.co/3Fz2vXE
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/4kvltyl
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DebtSucksPod
Facebook: https://facebook.com/debtsuxspod
Instagram: https://instagram.com/debtsuckspod
TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@debtsuckspod
X: https://x.com/debtsuckspod
The Debt Sucks Podcast is your fun, no-BS approach to debt relief. Say goodbye to stress, shame, and debt. Hosted by consumer bankruptcy attorney Ben Matthews, this is your weekly dose of real, relatable advice on crushing debt. If you’re dealing with mounting bills or sick of living paycheck to paycheck, we’re here to help you take control of your finances and find your way out.
This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.storyon.co/