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All this makes me wonder: How long until being a privacy-minded individual screws you over in the same way that paying cash for everything screws over your credit rating?

I shouldn't have to choose between privacy and being able to return a device at Best Buy.

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If you don't have a credit score or a credit score of 0 due to a thin file, you can get one by using a cash-secured loan of $500. The loan amount doesn't really matter so you can pick the smallest loan they offer. Then you're basically buying yourself a credit score for $50 or less. Don't use online lenders because the one I used (selflender.com, name & shame) kept my $500 principal despite claiming over and over that they sent a check that never arrives. If you do this, use a CU or bank branch instead so that after you pay it off, you can stare them in their money-loving bankster eyes to politely demand your $500 back.

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