Should I Put My Girlfriend On My Credit Card Account?

Question

So we've been together for about a year, and I know I love her. Is it ok to share an account with each other.

Yeah, I do know better. Just wanted to see how many people know better too. you guys make me proud

I wasn't born yesterday, but I found a few that might have been

Answer 1

No. Don't you ever watch any courtroom drama shows? Most every case involves this very issue and cell phone bills.

Answer 2

I wouldn't do it. You can show her you love her in other ways. One year is nice, but it doesn't mean this is a long-term relationship. The last thing you want is to have a messy breakup that includes money issues too. Let her establish, repair, build her own credit. You'll both be much happier.

If you feel the need to still do something, I would add her as an authorized user on your account...but NOT a joint user. The difference is that an authorized user can use the account but has no financial responsibility. A joint user shares the financial responsibility of the balance due on that account. Making her an authorized user still gives you all the authority. You don't need her to make any decisions and the only credit affected would be yours. You can tell her to reimburse you for her charges or make arrangements for her to pay the bill, but ultimately you are responsible. So just know that whatever she fails to pay will land on you and go into it knowing you may have to cut your losses down the line. Making her a joint user means, yes she's responsible too, but she also has authority to make decisions on the account (including a credit line increase without your knowledge) or even cancelling your card.

I know it's hard to think of the bad things that can happen, but they do happen. I would advise to keep finances out of your relationship until there's a legal commitment there, or if you must, allow her to be an authorized user only so you retain total and sole control of the account and are willing to be responsible for any unpaid charges on her behalf.

Good luck!

Answer 3

NO! NEVER! DO NOT DO THIS!!!

You've been together 1 year. ONLY one year. You are not married. If you put her on your account and the relationship breaks up, you are pretty much screwed. The only way to recover money for HER expenditures would be to sue her.

Relationships end, even when love is involved and money arguments have destroyed millions of marriages and it is a FACT that dating relationships do not have the same commitment level and reasons to work through problems as a marriage does. Never add anyone to your account except for a spouse unless you are willing to throw away your future credit for this woman, even if the relationship falls to pieces.

You might want to look at this question also, http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=ApR4u4GsdUcmRDWQsA7x4s2txQt.?qid=20070516210156AAC9Ire
This is a woman in your future position.

Answer 4

I agree with everyone one here, including valley girl lucha. Don't get a joint account with her, simply add her as an authorized user, or better yet get her a secured card and you can spring for the minimum opening deposit. $200-300 is way better than opening a joint account or adding her to one of your exisiting accounts and her running up the bill. That way she has HER own credit card that she can take care of, and you have YOURS. You say you been together for a year and you "know you love her", but that should never comprimise your credit. I've been in a realtionship for 5 times as long and I love the woman I'm with but also I know that when push comes to shove, my credit is MY CREDIT and she has hers. That's why I'm telling you that I would help her get a secured card, instead of adding her to yours or applying for one together. That way you could show her you love her by helping her establish her own credit instead of risking ruining your credit by adding her on to yours or applying together.

Answer 5

When it comes right down to it, only you can make that decision. But what you have to remember is that you're giving her the authorization to charge whatever she wants against your credit line. And when push comes to shove if something should happen to your relationship, you're the one liable for all the charges. You can remove her from the account, of course but you're still responsible for ALL of the charges she's made because it's your name as primary. And adding her as an authorized user won't affect her credit at all--whereas if she doesn't pay the charges she's made, it will affect YOUR credit.

Answer 6

You both should have your own seperate credit. Its not a matter of trust or anything but you never know what will happen in the future. I've experienced that before and glad I never put her on any of my accounts. If your doing it to try and establish credit for her, get a new card then destroy it so no one uses it. that way it'll never get misused.

Answer 7

No, stupid. Get her her own account so when she charges up everything in the world, it does not affect your credit, and you don't have to pay it back when she takes off to Aruba with the car wash attendant. You may love her but credit is business. Ruined credit is worse than a broken heart.

Answer 8

NO NO NO!!!
absolutely not !!!
don't do it
let her develop her own credit
hec most people don't even put their own wife on their credit card
you must realize your personal credit is your personal credit
and LOVE has NOTHING to do with it
girlfriends come and go
but your credit is life long
all it takes is over spending and then she break ups and YOUR stuck with the debt
not her
don't do it !!!

Answer 9

NO for one once you put her name on your acct her credit becomes your credit (meaning) if she has any negatives on her credit they become your negatives. Secondly you may love her but a year is not really long enough to know her. If you want to let her spend your money take her shopping, make it a special time for you two of you

Answer 10

I wouldn't personally. BC you know if you ever break up with the person then you are probably going to have some problems with the whole credit card, ex-girlfriend thing.