Enlighten me about SAHMs and credit cards

[Anonymous]

I became a SAHM last year and was approved for an Ann Taylor CC just a couple months ago. Did it to get the new card discount and never considered my lack of income. I had to show my DL and major credit card. I used the MC card that I've had for 20+ years, for which I am the primary, as my major CC for the application. Took 3 minutes to open the account. Maybe using my own CC made a difference?

When DH and I were married 8 years ago and consolidating finances, we each had a MC account. The rewards on his MC were slightly better than mine, but I insisted on keeping my card for consistency on my credit report. I moved into his condo and did not have my name on the mortgage since he bought it prior to our marriage.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I didn't read the law, but I could easily see where a SAHP would be upset. I would imagine that for those families that have decided that one parent stay at home, they have viewed it as a partnership where one parent brings home income and the other manages the household. I know lots of families where the SAHP manages the finances. So to tell that person that they can't get a credit card is insulting. They have "income" in that they made a decision that their partner would earn the income. They are allowing that person to earn the income by taking care of everything else. While not a SAHP, I do take on more at home to allow my spouse to thrive at his work. I imagine this would be multiplied if I were a SAHM.

While I do see the need to crack down on credit, I do feel that most of the responsibility falls on the credit card holder. While I can understand there may be instances where the government needs to step in to safeguard those who may not know better, I do think it is easy to go too far in the other direction. I would think the law would have a way of taking into account marital status and just look at household income.

And when you, as the SAHP credit card holder, don't have an income, exactly how is the bank going to be assured they'll recoup their money?

I'm all for stricter controls. The banks aren't telling SAHPs how to spend their money, but they are asking for reasonable assurances that customers aren't going to default. If you don't have an income, then there's no way you can assure them of that. I applaud the stricter regulations and hope this goes some way toward getting us out of the mess we've gotten ourselves into.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

The problem with this is if a person is in an abusive relationship and they need a credit card to help get out of that relationship they can not get a credit card without the abuser's permission.

OP here. Thanks for posting this.

I know some women's groups have a problem with the Card Act for the reasons you mentioned. I think it's a valid reasons to find it problematic.

Yes. I also read somewhere (because wasn't this Act approved months ago) that it was agreed that it is not the responsiblity of credit card companies to protect abused persons and that private instituations should fund initiatives and receive grants for protection.

I completely agree with this. While there are unfortuate situations out there that this new law might negatively impact, credit card companies should not be on the hook for extending credit to people with no income on the off chance they are being abused and will need a method to get out. That just isn't logical or fiscally responsible.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I became a SAHM last year and was approved for an Ann Taylor CC just a couple months ago. Did it to get the new card discount and never considered my lack of income. I had to show my DL and major credit card. I used the MC card that I've had for 20+ years, for which I am the primary, as my major CC for the application. Took 3 minutes to open the account. Maybe using my own CC made a difference?

When DH and I were married 8 years ago and consolidating finances, we each had a MC account. The rewards on his MC were slightly better than mine, but I insisted on keeping my card for consistency on my credit report. I moved into his condo and did not have my name on the mortgage since he bought it prior to our marriage.

This is a slightly different situation. The Ann Taylor CC can only be used at Ann Taylor, Ann Taylor Factory Store, LOFT or LOFT Factory Store. Also online at ANNTAYLOR.COM or LOFTonline.com. Ann Taylor may assume a limited liability and be looser with the restrictions. A store or chain are likely to be under less liability than a general CC. And Ann Taylor probably has a lot lower dollar limits, has fewer customers and lower liability for damages. I doubt there are many people that are going to go on a shopping spree and default on debts to Ann Taylor than to MasterCard, Visa, Discover, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I became a SAHM last year and was approved for an Ann Taylor CC just a couple months ago. Did it to get the new card discount and never considered my lack of income. I had to show my DL and major credit card. I used the MC card that I've had for 20+ years, for which I am the primary, as my major CC for the application. Took 3 minutes to open the account. Maybe using my own CC made a difference?

When DH and I were married 8 years ago and consolidating finances, we each had a MC account. The rewards on his MC were slightly better than mine, but I insisted on keeping my card for consistency on my credit report. I moved into his condo and did not have my name on the mortgage since he bought it prior to our marriage.

This is a slightly different situation. The Ann Taylor CC can only be used at Ann Taylor, Ann Taylor Factory Store, LOFT or LOFT Factory Store. Also online at ANNTAYLOR.COM or LOFTonline.com. Ann Taylor may assume a limited liability and be looser with the restrictions. A store or chain are likely to be under less liability than a general CC. And Ann Taylor probably has a lot lower dollar limits, has fewer customers and lower liability for damages. I doubt there are many people that are going to go on a shopping spree and default on debts to Ann Taylor than to MasterCard, Visa, Discover, etc.

PP here - good point.

I get CC applications in the mail weekly. After reading this thread, I'm tempted to complete one of the applications to see what happens.

[Anonymous]

I have an uncle who lives in California. His SAHW of 29 years took out two second mortgages on his fully paid for home without his knowledge. Then when the economy hit the skids, so did his income and his ability to pay the bills. He and his wife lost everything. So sad. It would have been nice if there had been a law preventing what she did.