'Good credit is sexy'

By Rusty Surette, NEWS 9

Most people have heard "beauty is in the eye of the beholder," but the author of one book says beauty begins with your credit report.

Lindsay Cobb is single and likes to mingle.

"I would expect him to pay on the first date," she said. "That's kind of expected."

She admits when it comes to a night out on the town, she's not worried about what's in a man's wallet.

"I'd like to know what he does and that he has a stable career, but the actual income isn't that huge of a deal."

The author of the book "Good Credit is Sexy," says Cobb could be making a costly mistake.

"Do you really want to marry somebody who is $20,000 in debt?" said Kristy Welsh.

Welsh said you can find out a lot about a person's character by looking at their credit report.

"If you're careless with credit, you're going to be careless with other areas in your life too," she said.

Welsh, who also operates the site, creditinfocenter.com, says a consumer's credit score is just one more tool to finding your financially solid soul mate.

For example, Welsh said people who have too many credit cards don't get emotionally attached to anything and tend to stray.

"That would say something: You can't control your impulses," she said. "What else can't you control - dating other women?"

Welsh said that's why it's important to maintain a healthy and attractive looking credit report.

Relationship and financial experts agreed.  They say money can be the root of most troubled relationships.

"If you have money, it's a problem because you're trying to agree on how to spend it," said Jim Priest with Marriage Network Oklahoma. "It's a double problem if you don't have it, because you got to spend it, plus you don't have it."

Dennis Jowaisas is the chairman of psychology department at Oklahoma City University.  He said our culture teaches us to keep private about our finances, but when it comes to relationships - new or old - both sides should open up.

"I think there is something to it," Jowaisas said . "I want someone who is responsible. I don't want to be in a crunch because of a history that someone brought to a relationship."

Welsh, who has filed bankruptcy herself, admits nobody is perfect.  That's why her book is dedicated to educating and helping consumers about the ugly side of credit history.

"A lot of times it's not their fault," she said. "There are only a couple of cases I can honestly say 'you blew it'. Most people, if they work on it systematically can probably clear up their credit in one year. I think that's a realistic thing."