A Zodiac of stress – what your star sign says about your money worries

Scorpios are more likely than any other star sign to break up from their partners over money worries, theCreditExpert.co.uk Financial Astrology Study shows. Almost one in eight (12 per cent) split from their partners because of financial stress, says the report.

Cancerians are the biggest fibbers when it comes to money matters, with one in six (17 per cent) lying to their partners about spending or debt. This might help explain why they are also the star sign that argues least (15 per cent) about money issues.

For a real argument over finance, link up with a Libran. No less than 44 per cent admit to disagreements about spending or borrowing. They are followed by Sagittarians, on 39 per cent. Librans might have an excuse, as only a third (33 per cent) believe themselves to have an excellent credit rating. TheCreditExpert.co.uk Financial Astrology Study of more than 1,700 people by Ipsos MORI also reveals:

Capricorns and Arians are the most financially honest when it comes to money – only five per cent have told untruths to their partner about spending

Those born under the sign of Taurus are the most confident about their credit status, with almost half (46 per cent) believing they have an excellent credit rating

Sagittarians might argue over spending but they don’t generally take it seriously – only one in 50 (two per cent) separate over money matters

Librans are most comfortable with their current level of borrowing but are the most likely to have a disagreement over money, thanks to increased borrowing in the last six months and discomfort with their credit rating

Pisceans and Aquarians are the most comfortable with their borrowing despite seeing some of the highest recent increases in debt. However, while Pisceans are very confident in their credit rating (43% excellent or very good), Aquarians fear their borrowing has left them with a poor credit rating (only 34% excellent or very good)

Jim Hodgkins, Managing Director of CreditExpert.co.uk, says: “Regardless of whether you take astrology seriously, the survey shows that there are a lot of people with great concerns about their spending and borrowing. Instead of looking to horoscopes for solutions to their financial problems, they’d be better off looking at their credit reports.

“Your credit history is part of your financial CV and if it doesn’t reflect your current status, lenders may be less inclined to offer you credit in the future. Using a service like CreditExpert.co.uk allows you to ensure that your credit report is up-to-date, as well as helping to protect against identity fraud. It can’t predict your financial future but it can show you the past and present.”

CreditExpert.co.uk offers a 30-day free trial, allowing anyone in the UK to access credit tips and tools that help manage their finances, along with unlimited access to their Experian credit report. E-mail or text alerts can also be set up for early identity fraud detection.

What your star sign says about you and your money:

Aquarius: Their financial situation is never stable – sometimes they’re rolling in cash and other times they’re in the red. Only one in three Aquarians believe they have an excellent or very good credit rating.

Pisces: Money issues are at the bottom of the Piscean agenda and they can sometimes let things slide. One in 20 has broken up with their partner following financial tensions.

Aries: Arians and money are a dangerous combination, as they tend to live for the day without thinking about the consequences. One in 20 has lied to a loved one about their finances.

Taurus: Generally quite lazy and stick with the same deals, even if they aren’t the best. Taureans are the most confident about the status of their credit rating.

Gemini: A bit of a wheeler-dealer when it comes to finances, Geminis are always chopping and changing in search of the best deal. They are the second most laid back star sign; only one in six argues about money.

Cancer: Generally look after their money but do occasionally splurge. One in six Cancerians has deceived a partner about money, making them the biggest financial liars of all the star signs.

Leo: Leos have good intentions that sometimes run away with them and they can easily rack up debts. Only one in three Leos are confident about their level of borrowing.

Virgo: Meticulous with money and can account for every last penny. Virgos are the second most confident; more than two-fifths think they have an excellent credit rating.

Libra: Librans are too trusting and are often swayed by attractive offers, jumping into agreements without researching the best deal. More Librans believe their borrowings will increase than any other star sign.

Scorpio: Scorpios are persistent – if they want something, they get it – even if it means going to a dozen lenders before receiving the offer they’re after. This zeal may indicate why more Scorpios break up with their partners over money than any other sign.

Sagittarius: Only one in 50 Sagittarians will break up because of money but they can be absent-minded with their finances, often resulting in unpaid bills

Capricorn: Like everything in a Capricorn’s life, their finances are organised – their credit is well-managed, their accounts are in order and they’ve researched the best deals. Capricorns are the calmest of the financial star signs as few argue about money (one in 20) and even fewer break up because of money issues (one in 33).

Top tips to stop your credit rating becoming a horror-scope

Love your credit report – Make sure it’s up-to-date and accurately reflects your circumstances, as your credit report is crucial when a lender is deciding whether to make you an offer.

Set the record straight – Check that nothing needs updating on your credit report or is incorrect or needs explaining – for example, if you missed a repayment because of illness rather than an inability to pay.

Protect your identity – Check your report regularly to make sure you have not been a victim of identity fraud, which can affect your credit score.

Assert your independence – Your credit report lists anybody with whom you have a joint account – your financial associate. If they have a poor credit record, your application could be refused, so it’s important to update your credit report if you no longer have joint finances with someone, such as an ex-partner.

Don't leave footprints – If you’re shopping around for credit, ask companies for a quotation before making a formal application for credit when they will search your credit record – because every search is recorded on your credit report. If you make too many applications, lenders may think that you are desperate for money, over-extended or even that identity fraud is taking place.

Don’t lie on an application form – Lenders usually find out and any inaccuracies on your application will tell against you and cause difficulties in future applications for credit.

Don’t let debts pile up – Making repayments on time shows lenders you are in control and more likely to meet future repayments. Talk to your lenders if you are having difficulties. You should be able to agree a schedule of payments you can afford.