Credit score is not something used in all countries though. In France, they determine if you are eligible to get a loan (e.g., to buy a house) based on the ratio between your salary, your expenses and your savings. Basically, if every month you 'burn' all your money, you're perceived as riskier than someone earning less but consistently making deposits to a saving account. I feel in the US people tend to buy things they don't need with money they don't have... The only times I feel one should need a credit is when buying 'big' things (house, car, etc.). Not for a TV. I’m 26 with over 800 credit score, time was put into that to build it up by MitnickSystems