Analyzing a Credit Report and Score

In this personal finance activity, students will use Mint to learn about credit reports and scores.

For students to be able to access Mint successfully, they must use the same computer or device every time they access Mint. Otherwise, they will be forced to re-create a new account. Paid advertisements appear in Intuit Mint. The Council for Economic Education does not endorse or evaluate the advertised product, service, or company, nor any of the claims made by the advertisement.

Prior to introducing students to Mint, follow the steps within the teacher checklist to familiarize yourself with Mint. This simulation is a hand-on activity that lets students shop for a credit card online, evaluating various offers. Before starting the Mint activity, students should know the following:

1. The definition and concept of credit.
2. Companies (such as Trans Union) monitor consumers’ credit and keep a permanent file.
3. That creditors analyze credit worthiness before lending money.

Students will do the following in this activity:

1. Go to Mint or Mint.com.
2. Log on using directions to access Mint as the fictional user Scott.

Upon logging into Mint:

1. Direct students from the Dashboard to the Ways to Save tab.
   • A credit card icon and menu appear by default. Students need to access this section.
   • To complete some questions, students will be asked to select a credit card offer.
     • Doing so will direct the students out of Mint to the credit card’s website.

Students will complete questions on the Credit Reports & Scores Student Worksheet. Additionally, the following reflection question is given to conclude and asses.

Question

For credit, we saw that Scott’s 92% on time payment translates into a bad score. Even though 92% seems high; it is not good enough for creditors. How would an employer, coach, or school rate you if you were late 8% of the time? If possible, use an example from your life.

Scenario

You find out a friend is going car shopping. They plan to visit 8-10 dealerships and look at all kinds of cars. Car dealerships often ask prospective buyers if they would like them to run a credit inquiry. What advice would you give your friend about having a credit inquiry at each dealership after what you saw in Mint about credit inquiries?

teacher checklist

Mint Login Directions

Mint Introductory Activity

Intro and Logging in to Mint Video

Mint Credit Report and Score Video

Credit Reports & ScoreS Worksheet

Credit Reports & Scores Step-By-Step Screenshots

Credit Reports & Scores Answer Key