Is 300 A Perfect FICO Score?

Bill Parrott |

The FICO score ranges from 850 to 300 - exceptional to very poor. Of course, if you tried to get a loan from a bank with a credit score of 300, you’d be laughed out of the lobby. So why is 300 a perfect credit score? Let’s look at some data to answer this question.

First, this is how your credit score is calculated.[1]

  • 35% = Your debt history.
  • 30% = Your debt level.
  • 15% = The numbers of years you’ve been in debt.
  • 10% = Your new debt.
  • 10% = Your debt type.

Do you notice a theme? A key word? Debt! Your debt drives your credit score. It has nothing to do with your income, savings rate, asset level, or net worth.

Consumer debt is staggering and growing.[2] Banks, credit card companies, and other lenders have little incentive for you to pay off your debt because the more you owe, the more they make. According to Credit Karma the average credit card rate is 15.96%![3] With an interest nearing 16%, why would they want you to stop borrowing money?

  • Total Household Debt = $13.5 Trillion.
  • Mortgage Debt = $9.14 Trillion.
  • Auto Debt = $1.65 Trillion.
  • Student Loan Debt = $1.44 Trillion.
  • Credit Card Debt = $844 Billion.

Debt is a four-letter word and it will hold you back from reaching your dreams. The Bible taught us this centuries ago: The borrow is slave to the lender. ~ Proverbs 22:7.

Rather than trying to increase your credit score by going into debt, why not use your resources to eliminate it? Reducing or eliminating your debt will be freeing. A monthly payment for a $30,000 auto loan with a rate of 4.5% is $684. If you invested this same amount at 5%, your balance would be worth $46,516 after five years.

Here are a few suggestions to help you reduce your debt:

  • Use your debit card instead of a credit card. Your payment will be deducted directly from your checking account.  If your checking account balance is $500, then your spending limit is $500.
  • Buy a used car, with cash. The moment you drive your new car off the dealer’s lot it starts depreciating. A new Land Rover Range Rover Sport costs about $67,000. A 2015 model costs about $40,000 - a difference of 40%!
  • Attend a community college for two years and then transfer to a state school. The annual tuition to attend SMU is $52,500, so two years of study will cost you, before room and board, $105,000.[4]  Attending Austin Community College costs $5,100 – a difference of 95%!
  • Buying a home with 100% cash is challenging. If you buy a home with debt, limit your mortgage payment to 28% of your income. For example, if your monthly pay is $10,000, then your payment should be $2,800, or less. Of course, if you have resources to pay cash, then pay cash. Who’s going to lend you money if you don’t have a credit score? Dave Ramsey says you can request a manual underwriting from your bank.[5]

Once you stop using credit cards and other debt tools your credit score will start to disappear. It will take about six months for this process to occur. No debt. No FICO.

If you can’t afford it, don’t buy it. However, we, as a nation, no longer adhere to this philosophy. If we want it, we buy it – regardless of the cost. Before you decide to buy, calculate the cost. If you have the money, then buy it. If you fall short, save until you have the resources to do so.

Good luck and happy saving!

Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? ~ Luke 14:28

January 11, 2019

Bill Parrott is the President and CEO of Parrott Wealth Management located in Austin, Texas. Parrott Wealth Management is a fee-only, fiduciary, registered investment advisor firm. Our goal is to remove complexity, confusion, and worry from the investment and financial planning process so our clients can pursue a life of purpose.

Note: Investments are not guaranteed and do involve risk. Your returns may differ than those posted in this blog.