<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 12
-----------
HOUSEHOLD FINANCE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
All dollar amounts are stated in millions.
Six months ended June 30 2000 1999
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income $ 495.5 $ 446.0
Income taxes 259.4 239.0
--------- ---------
Income before income taxes 754.9 685.0
--------- ---------
Fixed charges:
Interest expense (1) 1,284.2 1,034.6
Interest portion of rentals (2) 21.6 18.3
--------- ---------
Total fixed charges 1,305.8 1,052.9
--------- ---------
Total earnings as defined $ 2,060.7 $ 1,737.9
========= =========
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges 1.58 1.65
========= =========
(1) For financial statement purposes, interest expense includes income earned
on temporary investment of excess funds, generally resulting from
over-subscriptions of commercial paper.
(2) Represents one-third of rentals, which approximates the portion
representing interest.
