Dave Ramsey has no credit score and says he couldn't rent an apartment if he tried. He doesn't care — but should you?

In a 2024 talk defending his 7 Baby Steps program, Dave Ramsey, a 66-year-old radio host and founder of Ramsey Solutions, revealed that he has no credit score of his own. This revelation came as he criticized the widespread importance placed on the FICO score, stating that his own score is zero. He argued that the FICO score, which weighs payment history 35%, amounts owed 30%, length of credit history 15%, new credit and credit mix the remaining 20%, is essentially a "I love debt" score.

Ramsey's company, Ramsey Solutions, conducted a survey of over 10,000 U.S. millionaires from 2017 to 2018, finding that 82% of them never had a car loan or lease, and none got rich from airline miles. The survey, last updated in 2025, suggests that those without traditional credit scores should be prepared with larger deposits, proof of on-time utility payments, and references from previous landlords.

If asked for a credit score, Ramsey advises being upfront about not borrowing and to shop around for rental options. Ramsey Solutions provides a guide for living without a credit score, recommending manual underwriting for mortgages, budgeting for rental car and hotel holds, and expecting credit checks in banking and finance jobs.

Ramsey believes that the score only reveals how one handles debt, and that an 800 score can still mean living paycheck to paycheck. He also notes that the score doesn't disappear overnight, as it can take several years after the last account closes for it to drop off. Despite his zero credit score, Ramsey remains unfazed, stating that he "likes it that way" on X on October 1, 2025.