ArtistWe all have different strengths. Some people are creative geniuses yet housekeeping disasters. Some people paint. Others can do complex mathematical equations in their heads. We all have things we do well. We also have things we don't do well at all.

Many men are taught from childhood that being completley self-sufficient is a sign of manliness. Women seem to ask for help more easily and naturally. It seems they automatically know that ,as individuals, we can't be great at everything and it only makes sense to collaborate. When it comes to building and maintaining really good credit, the "I don't need anyone's help" mentality can be a serious roadblock.

Play to your strengths and delegate the rest.

If one of your non-strengths (notice I didn't call it a weakness) is in the area of consistency when it comes to bill paying, consider asking for help. With couples, one of partners will generally be good at this while the other partner is not. That's great if you are in a commited relationship, but if you aren't? It doesn't mean you can't use the same technique to advantage. Do you know someone you trust who is really good at budgeting and has the credit to prove it? This could be a brother or sister, it could be a close friend, it could even be an uncle or a grandparent. Be open minded about who you can approach to get help. I have several clients each year who are fisherman in Alaska but reside in Washington State. They all have someone in WA handling the chore of getting the bills paid while they are fishing for months at a time. It seems to work very well for all of them. Why can't the same thing work for a non-fisherman?

HandymanHow do you pay them back?

How do you even up the scorecard if someone agrees to take on the task of managing your bills? Be creative and think about the old-fashioned idea of barter. When America was young, settlers had very little cash. They traded skills back and forth. The farmer traded grain for livestock. The blacksmith traded horseshoes for clothing. The same system can work vey well today. You probably have a skill that you are good at. Are you a roofer, or a handyman? Believe me, there are many folks who wouldn't know where to begin tackling jobs like those. Trade what you are good at for the help of someone who is good at maintaining great credit. Do you have more money than time? Cash is always in demand.

Don't let your ego trip you up.

If you have ever been in a management position you know that one of the most powerful tools a manager has is delegation. Important tasks are assigned to the employee who is best able to handle the task well. Approach your credit report as a manager, not as an employee. If someone else is better suited to handle that job, delegate it. When managers do this they are viewed as efficient, they are not viewed as lacking skill. You do not need to be great at everything to reap the benefits of a great credit report. That is your ego talking.

Don't let your ego get in the way of a great credit score, or your credit score will end up hurting your ego.

 
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31 Comments on Is your ego hurting your credit score? Or the other way around?

MAR
31
2007
487,177 Points 84 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router
Boy that is us.  My wife is so good and making sure the bills are paid on time and the records are kept.  I would rather watch paint peal.
10:32pm • #1
160,860 Points 43 Featured Posts

LOL

Yeah, but you have enough money to pay someone else to keep track of things (being a celebrity and all)

10:39pm • #2
487,177 Points 84 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router
I do have a book keeper and and accountant for the business side.  I do not make enough to keep them too busy.  LOL
10:41pm • #3
160,860 Points 43 Featured Posts
Sure, sure....that's what all the celebs say!
10:47pm • #4
APR
01
2007
160,860 Points 43 Featured Posts
Not if they get paid!
5:11am • #6
468,473 Points 54 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Mark, my wife writes the checks and I balance the check book. She can write and I can add and subtract.  It works great for us.

By the way where do I find one of those people who "have more money than time" I want to be their friend :)

3:28pm • #7
8 Featured Posts Outside Blog
Not enough people REGULARLY look at and work on their credit scores/reports.  Various folks only look at their credit when applying for credit...sometimes thats just too late!
5:57pm • #8
185,428 Points 68 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Mark... uhm... could you NOT have waited until tomorrow to post this rather dry and SERIOUS post.

FIRST you lift us up... than SMASH us back to reality.

You are an evil evil man?  Are you a REPUBLICAN? (ALL teh evil ones are you know?) Cause I am seeing a trend here!

Me

5:59pm • #9
534,747 Points 45 Featured Posts Outside Blog
Removing your post from the credit scores - you make some good points about bartering. For anyone who's income has dropped with the market, bartering may be a good solution.
6:14pm • #10
596,612 Points 111 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog
Okay...I do the bills and money..but then again, I'm the wife...haha.
6:15pm • #11
237,688 Points 30 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Mark

Great post...  that's my life in a nutshell.   It took me many many years to figure it out and "give up" control. 

I run my business and a large team.... but... paying bills is not my calling.    I signed over the duties to my other half as of January 1... let someone else worry about it.   I have enough on my plate.

Thanks for sharing

9:24pm • #12
APR
02
2007
156,200 Points 4 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Craig,

No republican jokes!  I resemble that remark!

Mark,

Good stuff!

Thanks,

Lucky :)

10:15pm • #13
170,139 Points 17 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Mark,

My husband tells people that for me, paying the bills is foreplay.  I guess I like to do it and I make sure it gets done.  My husband is really good at spending money, but, he also is good at making it.  It all seems to work out.  Find out who is good at it, and let that person take it over.  Good post. 

Fran

10:59pm • #14
APR
03
2007
381,160 Points 9 Featured Posts Outside Blog
Interesting post.  Certain days are marked on the calendar to the pay the bills.  It works for us.
7:33am • #15
6 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor

I do fine as long as I can pay the bills online - when I have to physically mail it or deliver it I have a tendency to be a procrastinator (Spelling). My husband could care less and doesn't keep track of anything lol. I can tell him to do something on his way to work (we live in a rural area and he works 40 minutes away in the hustle bustle) and I literally have to watch the clock and then call him at the 35 minute mark to remind him or he WILL FORGET :).

I blame it on any wildlife prancing in the fields on his way into town - he's Grizzly Adams reborn and loses track of everything when he sees Antlers :).

Judi - I'm a calendar addict - without it I'd be lost! I'm a little OCD when it comes to punctuality and I'm one person keeping track of 5 schedules plus all financial obligations and 2 pets etc...

8:46am • #16
174,674 Points 44 Featured Posts Outside Blog
Thanks Mark...so true about working our strenghts and realizing our weaknesses and working on them as well.  It is so easy to get caught up on proctrastination and reglecting what needs to get done.  Thanks for writing a great post.
8:50am • #17
APR
05
2007
4 Featured Posts
Very nice post!
7:06am • #18
4 Featured Posts
Way to go Mark
7:07am • #19
4 Featured Posts
My credit score is scary
7:08am • #20
4 Featured Posts
It's like accidentally walking in on your mom when she's changing
7:09am • #21
4 Featured Posts
You go "ack! Ewww! " and run screaming...
7:09am • #22
4 Featured Posts
And no, I do not have an oedipus complex
7:11am • #23
4 Featured Posts
My mom is scandanavian, platinum blonde, light blue eyes
7:12am • #24
4 Featured Posts
And my wife is asian
7:13am • #25
4 Featured Posts

You're the best Mark, as men, we have to learn how to keep our egos in check, it makes us better men.

Now let go of my Eggo!

7:15am • #26
18 Featured Posts

i think Luke is talking to himself! haha funny guy. reminds me of TLW's conversations with herself. or were you talking to your ego? i talk to Nick sometimes. but i'm in charge. :)

8:53am • #27
APR
27
2007
MAY
02
2007
MAY
08
2007
150,011 Points 9 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Excellent post.  Love the comments.  Y'all are just too funny!

10:50pm • #30
MAY
10
2007
275,730 Points 3 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog
Mark, when I interview a couple, there is almost always one who brings the information or keeps the paperwork I hand out.  Sometimes I ask "Who is the paperwork person?"  Good observation.
6:37am • #31

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Mark Flanders

Silverdale, WA

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