myFICO Holiday Survey 2012 Question Title * 1. Will you open new credit cards during the holidays when you receive offers? Yes No Not sure, depends on the offer. Question Title * 2. When shopping for holiday gifts how often do you open a new retail credit card (GAP, Macy’s, etc.)? Never. It might affect my credit score. Never. I don’t need more credit cards. Never, I don’t shop often and prefer to use cash vs. credit. Sometimes. I only do this for the initial discount offer. Sometimes. I do this and then immediately cancel the card. Sometimes. But only at stores I shop at often. Frequently. I don’t think this has an effect on my credit score. Frequently. I like rewards they offer. Frequently. I shop frequently and prefer to use credit vs. cash. Question Title * 3. On average, how much do you usually charge on your credit cards during the holidays? $150-$250 more than I usually do each month. $250-$500 more than I usually do each month. $500-$750 more than I usually do each month. $750 more than I usually do each month. I have no limit. Question Title * 4. On average, how long does it take you to pay off what you charge on your credit cards around the holidays? I pay in full immediately. 1-3 months longer than it usually takes for me to pay. 3-6 months longer than it usually takes for me to pay. 6 months or longer than it usually takes for me to pay. Question Title * 5. On average, what percentage of your credit limits do you usually utilize on your credit cards during the holiday season? Less than a quarter (25%) About half (50%) The majority (75%) All of it (100%) Question Title * 6. On average, what percentage of the purchases you make while holiday shopping do you charge to your credit cards? Less than a quarter of my purchases. Less than half of my purchases. The majority of my purchases. All of my purchases. Question Title * 7. What type of presents do you use your credit cards to purchase? Inexpensive presents only. Expensive presents only. All of the presents I buy. Question Title * 8. Describe your spending style this holiday season: Very sparing – I'm cutting back this holiday season. Moderate – I will spend within my means, but will not go overboard. Pushing the envelope – I will spend more this year and push the budget a bit. Extravagant – I'm feeling generous this year. Question Title * 9. How do you financially prepare for the holidays? I really don’t – I know that I’ll be spending more towards the latter part of the year. I revisit last year’s expenses and plan accordingly begin saving during the summer months, putting a little away at a time. I stop spending on one of my credit cards to anticipate the big bills in November and December...and do a lot of bargain hunting. Question Title * 10. What form of payment do you plan on using to shop this year? My credit cards – I’ll need time to pay everything off. My credit cards – I use them for convenience and pay the balance in full each month. My debit card – I’ll only spend what I have in my account. Cash – I’ll only spend what I have on me at the point of purchase. Question Title * 11. Over the past few years have your family’s traditions been altered to adhere to economic changes? No Yes – a few things have changed, we try to be a smarter around the holidays. Yes – many things have changed (travel plans, gift giving and more). Question Title * 12. According to a previous survey we conducted, credit card debt was the biggest financial worry of 2012 – has it changed at all now that we’re approaching 2013? No - it’s still credit card debt. Yes – I now worry about financing large purchases, paying off my home, school, car, etc. Yes – I need to focus on taking care of my family's finances. Yes – I would rather not say. Question Title * 13. Does credit card fraud or identity theft concern you during the holidays? Yes No Question Title * 14. Do you take any of these steps? Regularly check my statements and account balances online. Subscribe to an ID protection/fraud detection service. Purchase a regular credit monitoring service. I don’t subscribe to these services. Question Title * 15. How concerned are you that your holiday spending will affect your credit score? I spend wisely so I’m not concerned about the impact. I tend to spend a bit above my means so I am concerned about the impact. Spending more should raise my credit score since I'm using my credit cards. Question Title * 16. What is your age range? Under 18 18-29 30-44 45-60 60+ Question Title * 17. What is your gender? Male Female Question Title * 18. Please select your income range. Under 25K 25-50K 50-100K 100-150K 150K+ Question Title * 19. What is your highest level of education completed? Some high school. High school graduate. Some college. Associate or Bachelor degree. Graduate degree. Done