When Trust Breaks: My Experience Dropping an Authorized User

In the world of personal finance, trust is a currency as valuable as any dollar bill. When I added my partner as an authorized user on my credit card, I did so with the belief that our financial lives were intertwined, and that our shared responsibility would only strengthen our bond. However, life has a way of throwing curveballs, and sometimes those curveballs come in the form of a credit card statement.



The decision to remove an authorized user from a credit card account is not one to be taken lightly. It's a move that can have significant implications for both parties involved, and it's a decision that I found myself grappling with recently. The reasons for removing an authorized user can vary widely, from poor spending habits to a change in relationship status, but the impact on your credit score and overall financial situation can be profound.

When I first added my partner as an authorized user, it was with the intention of helping them build their credit history. As an authorized user, they would benefit from the positive payment history and credit utilization ratio that I had established over the years. However, as time went on, it became clear that our financial goals and spending habits were not as aligned as I had initially thought.

The first red flag came when I noticed that our credit utilization ratio was creeping up. Credit utilization, or the percentage of available credit that you are using, accounts for approximately 30% of your FICO credit score. When my partner was added as an authorized user, our total credit line increased, which helped to lower our credit utilization ratio. However, as their spending habits became more reckless, our credit utilization ratio began to rise, and with it, the risk of damaging our credit scores.

The second red flag came when I realized that our relationship was changing. As our financial goals and spending habits diverged, it became clear that our partnership was no longer as strong as it once was. In situations like these, it's important to take a step back and assess the impact that an authorized user can have on your credit score and overall financial situation.

When I decided to remove my partner as an authorized user, I did so with a heavy heart. I knew that the decision would have implications for both of us, and I wanted to make sure that I handled the situation with care and consideration. The process of removing an authorized user is relatively straightforward, and most credit card issuers allow you to do so by calling customer service or through an online account. However, the emotional toll of the decision can be significant.

The impact of removing an authorized user on your credit score can vary widely, depending on a number of factors. If you have your own cards that you use responsibly and have a credit history that goes back a while, being removed as an authorized user will not have much of an impact on the average age of your accounts, and consequently your credit score. However, if the account was an account with a long history and good standing, the removal could potentially lower your credit score.

In my case, the removal of my partner as an authorized user had a minimal impact on my credit score. However, the emotional toll of the decision was significant, and it served as a reminder of the importance of trust and communication in any financial partnership. As I look back on the experience, I am reminded of the words of Warren Buffet, who once said, "It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it. If you think about that, you'll do things differently."

In the end, the decision to remove an authorized user from a credit card account is a personal one, and it's important to weigh the potential benefits and drawbacks carefully. However, by taking the time to assess the situation and make an informed decision, you can protect your credit score and overall financial situation, while also preserving the trust and communication that are essential to any successful partnership.