Dear Helaine: Recently, I looked around for car insurance and was told my "insurance score" is "average." I couldn't believe it, but I was told it had to do with my credit rating. I have no negative info on my credit record. I checked, and it's clean.

Apparently, they want a history of buying on credit for a good score. I never borrow a penny, and that has cost me higher rates. My driving record is completely clean.

I've always paid cash for everything, including houses and cars. Being a saver, and a prudent and careful investor, I have brokerage accounts in the seven figures and have for decades. How these people could rate me as "average" is beyond comprehension. The fact that I am paying higher rates than someone who needs to borrow galls me. What can be done? -- Insurance Blues

Dear Insurance Blues: I agree with you. I think this is a disgrace. Your credit score should not be a factor in car insurance rates at all. There are lots of reasons a credit score can take a hit that have nothing to do with how you drive -- unemployment and high medical bills are two that come to mind immediately.

But there is a bigger issue here, at least as far as you are concerned: how credit scores are calculated. They are based on how you pay back borrowed money. That means if you are incredibly responsible or cautious -- as you are -- and pay for everything with cash, your credit score will take a hit, and it doesn't matter how much money you have in the bank, in investments, the value of your home and so forth.

There's a reason for this. If you don't take out any loans or buy anything on credit, there's nothing to measure. While there is a growing movement to count such things as regular utility and cellphone payments toward credit scores, it has not really taken off. You would think a seven-figure net worth and no debt would mean something. Unless you are a lottery winner or heir, it would seem to indicate a decent ability to manage money well. But it doesn't register.

My advice: It's not worth fighting the system on this one. I'd apply for a credit card, and when you receive it, make a few small charges, so you can build up credit history. Don't put it in your wallet, and don't input it online. Just take it to the grocery store or some such every few months, and then pay off the resulting bill promptly.

(To ask Helaine a question, email her at askhelaine@gmail.com.)

(EDITORS: For editorial questions, please contact Sue Roush at sroush@amuniversal.com)

Hi, Helaine: I have a question. I put $15,000 in a CD last August for a year. The interest rate is 2.2 percent. I got a postcard in the mail from a bank the other day. It’s offering $600 to open a new savings account with a $15,000 minimum, along with one monthly direct deposit to the checking account. I am thinking of pulling my money out of the CD and doing this. I called the bank where I have the CD and will only lose $25 for withdrawing early. Do you think this is a smart move? -- Depositing for Dollars

Dear Depositing for Dollars: On the face of it, there is no reason not to do this, as long as you can arrange for a monthly automatic deposit. When I crunched the numbers, I determined you will come out ahead by more than $200. But I do need to ask a question: What’s your self-discipline like? Some people use CDs not only as a way to earn a bit of extra interest on their emergency cash stash, but as a way of discouraging them from raiding it. All too often, the penalty you pay and interest gains you forgo for taking the money out early, even if it is as little as $25, acts as a deterrent. If this is true for you, leave the money alone. If, on the other hand, you are disciplined enough to leave the money alone, you could do this.

One other thing: I’m guessing this means you plan to close your previous checking account and use this one going forward. (Few people want two separate checking accounts.) Is the hassle involved -- changing automatic payments and the like -- worth it to you in exchange for a few hundred dollars? I can’t answer that for you. Only you can.

(To ask Helaine a question, email her at askhelaine@gmail.com.)

(EDITORS: For editorial questions, please contact Sue Roush at sroush@amuniversal.com)

Hi, Helaine: I'm 59 years old and plan to retire from a federal government job at the end of the year. I've spoken with a couple of different financial advisers, and it seemed like they were interested in acquiring my Thrift Savings Plan, which is like a 401(k) with the federal government.

I've always invested 100% in the S&P 500 Index fund. One financial adviser encouraged me to switch over 40% of my funds to the government bond fund and divide the remainder between the S&P fund I am currently using and the 2030 lifecycle fund. They then suggested rolling over the money to an Individual Retirement Account when I leave my position, and they would charge a 1.5% annual fee to manage my money, which they would put in various investments -- I'm not sure what.

I'm thinking, why don't I just leave it in the thrift savings plan and take 3 to 4% annually to supplement my pension if I need it? The TSP charges less in fees. I've pretty much managed the money by myself over the last 35 years, and it seems to have done well. I've got about half a million in the TSP account now. What's your advice? -- Fed Up With Indecision

Dear Fed Up: There are a whole pile of financial advisers for whom soon-to-retire federal workers are a business model. One of them clearly has you in their sights. Don't fall for it! The federal TSP is a gold standard of defined-contribution retirement plans, with an extremely low cost basis on a small selection of excellent investment choices. There is no reason you should roll a penny of your money into a traditional IRA.

Wait -- I take that back. Do you want the financial adviser to make a tidy living on your money? Then by all means, go ahead. Otherwise, stay put. The chances are high this financial adviser is not going to do better than you can do with the funds within the TSP -- especially when charging a rather high 1.5% of assets under management for the privilege. And the adviser gets that 1.5% come rain, come shine, no matter how well or not well your investments do.

As I am forever fond of pointing out to people, fewer than 1% of us -- including professional money managers -- appear to have the ability to do better than the indexes year in and year out. Moreover, and please don't take this the wrong way, but if the adviser reaching out to you is really that extraordinary, do you think they would be hustling for you and your half-million bucks? I highly doubt it, given that there are billionaires to go chase after.

I will say this adviser's suggestion for how to invest in the TSP sounds reasonable enough, but I can't say for sure since I don't know your overall circumstances.

(To ask Helaine a question, email her at askhelaine@gmail.com.)

(EDITORS: For editorial questions, please contact Sue Roush at sroush@amuniversal.com)