As a certified cheapskate, I (used to be) proud to say I've never owned a credit card. The thought of borrowing money that I don't have did not sit well with me, so I paid off my student loans within a year of graduating, and have lived within my means ever since. In fact, I naively thought I could go through life without a credit card until last month when I tried to apply for a mortgage with my boyfriend. The broker told me I have no credit history, so in the lender's eyes, it's as if I "don't even exist." Despite the fact that I clearly have enough money in the bank to co-sign a mortgage, despite the fact that I have a zero debt-to-income ratio, despite the fact that I've always paid my rent and utilities on time and in full, apparently, I "don't exist." And so, the process of building my credit history began.
I went straight to my bank and applied for a student card, which three different employees assured me was designed specifically for people such as myself who need to build their credit histories. Relieved I thought, "Good. At least I am not the only 27 year old on the planet without a credit card." But apparently, I am. The credit company denied me the card on the basis of having no history. "How," I asked, "am I supposed to build my history if I can't even get the card to start building my history because I have no history in the first place?" In vain, I applied for other cards and was denied left and right. Finally, my bank said I could get a card if I finangled a co-applicant. I did, and now the cards won't stop coming in the mail. Finally, "I exist!"
Now this cheap vegan has a dilemma. I've finally got a credit card and am ready to start building my history. Only problem is: I don't have anything to buy! I recently went grocery shopping, so I don't need any food. Even the cat food I ordered today is not payable until the day of pick up. Surely, I'll need a train pass next month, but they are not on sale until the 20th. What's a cheap vegan to do?
Well, I did something I rarely ever do. I bought myself a snack: a Pure Raw Food Brownie Bar from Trader Joe's. If I could juxtapose this post next to "$1.39 Dinner," I would have called it "$1.49 Snack," and you'd see why I don't usually buy snacks.
Now can I buy a house?
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