My mom has had problems with money for as long as I’ve been alive. Growing up, it was common to see my mother go on shopping sprees, and then hide the bags in her closet before my dad got home. The closest we ever came to discussing the event that began my descent into mountains of credit card debt was her quietly saying over the phone, "I’m sorry I ruined your credit score."

Why you'd do this: Because responsible grown ups check their credit reports to make sure that the financial identities that exists for their names and social security numbers is the same one that exists in their hearts and minds.