According to a recent survey conducted by myFICO.com, almost half of respondents charge an average of $100-$500 more than usual on their credit cards during the holidays, which for some takes up to six months or more to pay off! Nearly 40 percent of these respondents also said that credit card debt was their biggest financial worry going into 2011, so learning to manage already fragile credit, make wise shopping decisions, and be aware of debt will be the key to enjoying a safe and happy holiday season.

Trends in credit card usage:

Maxin’ out: During the holidays, five percent of survey respondents say they spend 75 percent, or more, of their total credit limits.
Charge it!: Nearly 35 percent charge the majority of or ALL of their holiday purchases to their credit cards.
Cash or Credit?: Only 15 percent said they use cash to pay for holiday shopping — while an additional 35 percent stick to using their debit card, only spending what they  have in their account at the time of purchase.

Debt:

In 2009, nearly 40 percent of respondents said that credit card debt was their biggest financial worry going into 2010. This year, the same number said it continues to be their main concern for 2011. As many Americans still face financial challenges, protecting already fragile credit, making wise shopping decisions, and being aware of debt will be the key to enjoying a safe and happy holiday season.
Bah-hum-budget: More than half confessed they do nothing to prepare for the added bills during the holiday season.

Retail credit cards:

0% off now can mean points taken off your credit score later: Although most people do not apply for in-store credit cards, almost 10 percent are lured into obtaining new retail cards with upfront discounts.
Passing on new credit this holiday season?: 91 percent of respondents will NEVER open a new retail credit card during the holidays. Reasons include: You don’t want to ruin your credit, you don’t need more credit cards and/or you don’t shop all that often.

Economic impact:

Tightening the holiday belt: 75 percent admit they will be changing holiday traditions this year due to the economy.

FICO’s survey also found:

• Women were twice as likely (than men) to choose “a good FICO score” as the most important characteristic in a date while men are six times as likely to choose “good looking” as the most important characteristic in a date. Having an excellent FICO score ranked third – which topped being “rich,” “good looking” and “having great teeth” by both the men and women.
• 20 percent of couples described their partners’ spending habits as “drastically different” from their own and over 45 percent described them as moderately different. (Only 20 percent of couples rated each others’ spending habits the same.)
• Please see the complete survey results and downloadable images, here.

With survey findings like these facing Valentine’s Day, FICO’s Credit Cupid has solutions which will help your FICO scores in tip-top shape, see below:

1)     Maintain a good history of paying bills on time. Payment history is the most important component of your FICO score. People with a long history of paying their bills on time, are expected by lenders to continue their good payment pattern, and will be more willing to extend credit in the future.

2)     Encourage good spending habits from your partner. Everyone has their own credit report and FICO score; when couples begin applying for credit together their shared accounts affect both FICO scores.  This is why it’s doubly important to pay on time when you’re responsible for a shared account.

3)     Don’t overspend on your lover.  While it’s easy to get caught up in buying gifts for your sweetheart, spend within your means. If you have a lot of debt, adding more debt or maxing out your credit cards can hurt your FICO score – and potentially your relationship.

4)     Don’t apply for credit you don’t need. Your FICO score not only considers the existing credit accounts on your credit report, but also applications for new credit. Applying for many new accounts in a short amount of time can be a sign of looming financial problems, which can hurt your FICO score.

5)     Discuss finances with your partner. Your partner’s financial burdens can ultimately affect your credit if you feel compelled to help out with their debts and obligations. Have an honest financial discussion early and avoid surprises later!

If you would like to learn more about the survey or how FICO can help keep you in top credit shape, please visit myFICO.com.

Here are some fail-safe tips from FICO Credit Guru Shon Dellinger to help enthusiastic shoppers stay financially sound:

1. Be Smart with Credit. Using a credit card is ok – experts agree having 3-5 credit cards helps your credit, if used responsibly. But carrying a balance on your credit card leaves you (1) stuck paying interest that could cost you, in some cases, double or triple the cost of those gifts in the long run and (2) with a much lower credit score, which could jack up interest rates on your credit cards and jeopardize your chance of getting lines of credit elsewhere (buying a house, a car, etc.). Services like FICO Score Watch combat this by providing emails or texts alerting you to any changes in your FICO score (either positive or negative), and notifying you when you’ve qualified for a better interest rate. A credit score increase of 30 points will save the average consumer $105 per year.

For more information on FICO Score Watch, go to: www.myfico.com/Products/ScoreWatch/Description.aspx.

2. Resist “Short Savings.” The salesperson at your favorite department store offers you an instant 20% savings just for opening up a credit card in their name. While that $20 seems tempting at the time, it can quickly put you in debt if you’re not careful. The temptation of the deal is also one reason why the average consumer has a total of 13 credit cards. Opening new lines of credit can also hurt your credit score, so make sure the card meets your overall needs and not just your desire for quick savings.

3. Don’t Wait Till April! Many holiday shoppers use their Tax refund to pay off credit card balances left over from the holidays, which can be incredibly expensive, not to mention detrimental to your credit standing. A credit card balance of $500 dollars from January until April will cost you $237 dollars based on today’s average credit card interest rate.

4. Get Info on Your Credit. Go to the myFICO Forums, where you can connect with thousands of other people all in your same boat. Don’t wait til after the holidays, when the damage is done. FICO is offering 30% off all products on its web site if you enter the discount code MYFICO HOLIDAY.