'Might As Well Take My Credit Score Out Back And Put It Out Of Its Misery' — This Mom Stopped Paying Credit Cards And Has No Regrets

As financial pressures mount for many in the middle class, the impact of inflation, despite reports of its cooling, continues to strain personal finances. 

Against this backdrop, Brandi, known as @miss.brandiii on TikTok, has brought attention to the harsh realities many face in managing their finances. Brandi, a mother of two with a sales job, has taken a bold stance by choosing not to pay her credit card bills, prioritizing her essential needs instead.

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In a viral video, Brandi shares her decision to forego credit card payments, a choice driven by the necessity to allocate her limited resources to basic needs. “I don’t give a sh*t about sh*t I bought last year or six months ago or when I swipe the credit card. Thanks for letting me have that stuff. I don’t have the money to pay you right now,” she said. This revelation came after she decided to disable auto-pay on her accounts, which led to her receiving calls from the credit card company, threatening to send her accounts to collections.

Despite having an income, Brandi has not paid her credit card bill for seven months. She underscored the economic hardship of managing both her basic needs and credit card payments. 

In the video, Brandi shares that she has been systematically avoiding calls from the creditors. However, she details a particular incident where she inadvertently picked up a call from Teresa, a representative of a credit card company — she couldn’t recall whether it was Credit One or Capital One. Brandi vividly recounts this conversation, emphasizing the relentless nature of the collection efforts.

During this conversation, the implications of her unpaid bills on her credit score were brought up. Brandi’s response to Teresa was both poignant and dismissive, highlighting her current financial indifference. After Teresa threatened to send her account to collections which would ruin her credit, Brandi clapped back with her response. 

“Teresa, do you not know that also not paying your credit card bill plummets your credit? You might as well take my credit score out back and put it out of its misery,” she said. 

Brandi questioned the relevance of her credit score, given her inability to afford significant purchases. “Do I look like I’m buying a house? Do I look like I’m buying a car? Does it look like I can afford to buy anything ever again?”

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She asked the credit card company to forward her debts to collections, signaling a resignation to her financial plight. “Teresa, I’m gonna save us both the time here … just send it to collections now because between now and next month when you keep trying to call me, nothing is going to change. Nothing. Sorry about that but thanks for all the stuff I bought on the credit card. I don’t know what to tell you. And it’s going to sit in collections, too,” she said. 

Brandi’s prioritization of her expenditures was clear: Essentials such as food, housing, car payments, insurance, medicine and clothing took precedence over her credit card debts. Her statement, “I’ve been in collections my whole life” speaks volumes about her long-term battle with debt.

As of the fourth quarter of 2023, Americans are grappling with a massive $1.129 trillion in credit card debt, marking a record high since tracking began​​. This situation highlights the growing challenge many people face in managing credit payments amid rising living costs.

Delinquency rates, an indicator of financial stress, have increased, with 3.1% of outstanding debt entering some stage of delinquency by the end of December. This trend is particularly pronounced among younger and lower-income households, suggesting a rising tide of financial pressure within these demographics​​.

The average household credit card balance stands at $10,263, reflecting the broad impact of these financial challenges across the U.S. population. The average balance is up from last year, which signals a significant burden on many American households, especially when coupled with an average annual percentage rate (APR) on accruing debt of 22.75%​​.

These statistics are more than numbers; they reflect real-life struggles for individuals and families navigating the complexities of financial management in challenging times. As households contend with balancing essential expenses against the backdrop of increasing debt and interest rates, the narratives shared on social media platforms highlight the urgency and gravity of these financial challenges.

Individuals and families may find it beneficial to seek guidance from financial advisers. These professionals can offer personalized strategies to manage debt, optimize spending and plan for future financial stability. This expert guidance can be particularly crucial in navigating the complexities of high-interest debt and budgeting to ensure that essential expenses are met without exacerbating financial strain. Consulting with a financial adviser could provide a pathway to financial health, offering tailored advice that considers the unique circumstances and goals of each household.

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*This information is not financial advice, and personalized guidance from a financial adviser is recommended for making well-informed decisions.

Jeannine Mancini has written about personal finance and investment for the past 13 years in a variety of publications including Zacks, The Nest and eHow. She is not a licensed financial adviser, and the content herein is for information purposes only and is not, and does not constitute or intend to constitute, investment advice or any investment service. While Mancini believes the information contained herein is reliable and derived from reliable sources, there is no representation, warranty or undertaking, stated or implied, as to the accuracy or completeness of the information.