Credit Cards - SAHM

[Zandy595]

Does anyone know if it's possible for homemakers to get a credit card without a job? I would use my DH's income to pay for it, but I only want my name on it.

 

[wvjules]

Does anyone know if it's possible for homemakers to get a credit card without a job? I would use my DH's income to pay for it, but I only want my name on it.

Most applications ask for "household" income. Go ahead and apply using your DH's income as the household income and put your occupation in as homemaker.

 

[clgwli]

Yes. I have always been asked household income for things like that, never personal income. In fact as a SAHM I get higher credit limits than my husband usually. I have a tendency to use a lof of the 12 months same as cash type deals to my advantage and never been denied yet.

 

[SaraJayne]

I am a SAHM and have a CC soley in my name. I've had it for the last 10 years or so.

You shouldn't have any problems.

 

[lovetoscrap]

Yep! We have at least 2 in my name. And it is a good idea to do it. We also have some of the bills in my name. This way if anything ever happens to DH I have good credit established with a long credit history.

 

[Zandy595]

Yep! We have at least 2 in my name. And it is a good idea to do it. We also have some of the bills in my name. This way if anything ever happens to DH I have good credit established with a long credit history.

That's a very good idea. I wish I would have figured that out years ago. Thanks.


Everyone's posts are very encouraging. I hope I get approved.

 

[KAMLEM]

Things have changed a lot recently, though. It's not quite as easy to get credit cards anymore. I used to get several offers in the mail each week, I never see them anymore. From a bank's perspective, I'm not quite sure why they would want to take the risk.

 

[LuvOrlando]

Yes, not only is this allowable it is probably a bad idea not to do so with the way this world works. Truth is, if a SAHM one day finds herself alone, say widowed, and she has no credit history she will not be able to get any loans for anything while she waits for life insurance to be paid out etc. How would she feed her kids or keep a roof over their heads?

While I am not an advocate of credit cards in general it would be foolish to say they do not serve a purpose. Credit cards prove to the world you are financially responsible. Get a few and use them sparingly, as in you could make a purchase at Walmart with a credit card and pay it off in the next transaction with the cash in your hand. It used to be store cards were the easiest to get so I suspect they still are, just be patient and build yourself a history one month at a time. After a while move to a bank card or an American Express.

I am a SAHM and most of our credit is actually in my name, not my DH's. He's the one with the resume, and money and a bankable future. Sheesh, banks would trip over themselves to hitch a ride to his wagon, me, on the other hand, I am a bad bet and without credit they have no way of knowing how I'd be taken care of or if I'd pay back do they? The biggest thing you can do to help yourself is make sure you are on the mortgage, if your name isn't on it and you lose your DH YOU will have to apply for and be approved for a mortgage and what bank on the planet would take a risk like that on an unemployed single mother? (This did happen to a friend of mine who was widowed at 46, cars were repossessed and and she had to sell her house, even worse Life Ins, Social Security and other help didn't come fast enough so she had to go begging for help... it was terrible) If you aren't on it refinance when you can and MAKE SURE your name is on it. When we refinanced a few years ago they tried to kick me off but I wasn't having it, sure enough I was added when they realized we'd walk unless they made it happen.

 

[Zandy595]

Yes, not only is this allowable it is probably foolish not to do so with the way this world works. Truth is, if a SAHM one day finds herself alone, say widowed, and she has no credit history she will not be able to get any loans for anything while she waits for life insurance to be paid out etc. How would she feed her kids or keep a roof over their heads?

While I am not an advocate of credit cards in general it would be foolish to say they do not serve a purpose. Credit cards prove to the world you are financially responsible. Get a few and use them sparingly, as in you could make a purchase at Walmart with a credit card and pay it off in the next transaction with the cash in your hand. It used to be store cards were the easiest to get so I suspect they still are, just be patient and build yourself a history one month at a time. After a while move to a bank card or an American Express.

I've had a Kohl's card for about a year. I've only used it a couple times and paid it right off though. Maybe that will help a little.