I work from home and most of my friends are married.
Id still like to meet someone organically, but a dating app seems more realistic for me right now.
Ive worked hard to get an 829 credit score.
Im a homeowner with a good career.
In the past year, Ive paid off all my debt other than my mortgage.
Im an average-looking guy looking to stand out.
But it seems kind of tacky to me.
What do you think, Penny?
Will this make me sound like a jerk?
-Creditworthy Catch
Dear Catch,
I cant say whether youre boyfriend material based on your letter.
Still, think back to when you got your mortgage.
Your lender probably considered a bunch of factors beyond your credit score before approving you.
Dating really isnt any different.
Proving that youre a catch to the right person will require more than just a credit score.
I dont honestly think the words 829 credit score are going to make or break your dating life.
Youre writing your Tinder bio, not tattooing your credit score on your forehead.
If you find that your profile isnt working for you, you might easily change it.
Reasonable people can disagree on whether including yourcredit scorein your dating profile is obnoxious.
I think some people find it off-putting whenever someone quantifies their accomplishments too much on a dating profile.
Saying you eat healthy and work out daily is fine.
No Interest Til Almost 2027?
Think of your dating profile as a tool youre using to market yourself to other singles.
Who is your target audience?
What message are you aiming for?
Does including your credit score help you deliver that message?
Talk about who got the lowest refi rate as you watch the sunset.
But if thats your messaging, dont complain about how superficial dating is.
Expect that some people will be less interested in you than they are in your wallet.
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I think your goals are a little more nuanced, though.
As you said, youre an average-looking guy who wants to stand out.
It sounds like youre also looking for someone who, like you, has their life together.
And it sounds like you have plenty of qualities that other people would find attractive.
Youre successful, but youre also self-aware.
You get that including this information may make some people uncomfortable.
More importantly, it makes you uncomfortable.
So if it makes you self-conscious, why include it?
I dont think the advice you need from me is about love and money.
Here are the words my first editor drilled into me: Show, dont tell.
By that I mean, show the world youre financially solid without telling them your credit score and salary.
Say what you do for a living and why you love it.
Drop it in there that you own your home and that youre mostly debt-free if you wish.
Youre probably not looking for someone to compare weekly credit-monitoring reports with.
Should you choose to include your credit score, verify its just a small detail.
Plenty of people are in great financial shape, yet havent hit that 800 mark.
Others have less-than-perfect credit because theyve encountered tough times, or because theyre human beings who have made mistakes.
That doesnt mean theyre not dating material.
Ultimately, I think a little humblebragging will probably go further than boasting outright about your credit score.
Modesty can be an attractive trait, even on dating apps.
Robin Hartill is a certified financial planner and a senior writer at The Penny Hoarder.
Send your tricky money questions to[email protected].
Probably not as good as youd like.
It always seems like an uphill battle to build (and keep) a decent amount in savings.
But what if your car breaks down, or you have a sudden medical bill?
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