topic Re: Garden Club Meeting - January 2013 in Credit Cards

Garden Club Meeting - January 2013

tinuviel — Mon, 31 Dec 2012 22:26:43 GMT

Greetings, fellow credit gardeners! The old year is ends and the new year begins! Let's all raise our glasses as I convene the January meeting of the myFICO Garden Club!

For those who are new to the concept of gardening, it involves refraining from applying for new credit or seeking CLIs that require hard pulls. Soft pulls CLIs, however, are not only acceptable, but are encouraged. The idea is to allow one's current TLs to grow and mature, waiting for inqs to age or fall off, and possibly waiting for "baddies" to be removed or age off. During this time, one tends to one's current accounts and watches their AAoA grow and the new credit ding fade.

So, if you're at the stage of your credit journey where you're ready to enter the garden, please come and join us. You may pick up your complimentary watering can and garden gloves by the front door -- you can even choose your favorite color! We're proud to offer a well appointed clubhouse. There is a snack table set up. This month I've set out an assortment of appetizers and finger foods. We have mini-quiches (enjoy, Relevate!), spring rolls, quesadillas, deviled eggs, swedish meatballs, baked brie on toasted rounds, and a crudite tray. And in honor of the new year, we have assorted bottles of champagne, sparkling wines and sparkling grape juice. Once again, please feel free to bring and add anything that you'd like to add to the festivities. And, in the corner diagonally across from the front door, there is a fully stocked bar, along with a wide selection of soft drinks. If needed, there are some anti-itch medications stocked in our supply cabinet near the door -- Lanacaine, Benedryl, etc. If you need to place your reports in the deep freeze, we also have a freezer, located next to the bar, so go ahead and throw your reports in!

Come on in and make yourself comfortable. Make a gardening plan and commit to sticking with it! Are you planning to wait six months before applying for additional credit? A year? Until the last of your baddies drop off? Whatever your goal, we're here to support you. If you feel the "app-itch" coming on, let us know and we'll try to help you through it.

Now, if you happen to leave the garden prematurely, that’s your decision and we respect that. You are always welcome to come back, pick up your gardening tools and start over again. But please, celebrate any approvals on another thread. While we are happy with members’ success stories, we really do want to keep this thread’s focus and tone to be consistent with gardening efforts. You are certainly welcome to celebrate soft CLIs on this thread, though, as they do not involve inqs or apps for new credit.

GARDEN CLUB CHALLENGE AND RECOGNITIONS:

Garden Club Challenge: Pick a firm date for staying in the garden and post it in your siggy!

Garden Club recognition levels: To qualify, your reports must contain:

No new tradelines of any type on one's accounts (this includes backdated Amex accounts, as they are STILL new "seedlings").
No HPs for anything that would allow for the possibility of a new tradeline being issued or increasing the CL of an existing tradeline.

You will be able to add the following to your siggy if you have abided by the above for the following time periods...

Less than 1 month - seedling

1 month - bronze spade

3 months - silver spade

6 months - gold spade

12 months - platinum spade

24 months or more - diamond spade

Please note: recognition levels reset once you add an account or incur a HP. We recognize that there may be very good reasons for "leaving the garden," and we respect whatever thoughtful decisions members make. As stated previously, members are always welcome to come back, grab their gloves and start gardening once more.

I'd like to express my appreciation to DaveSignal for coming up with some spade graphics that you can embed in your siggy in order to display your status. Thanks, DS -- great job!!!

Seedling:

Bronze:

SIlver:

line to put at top of sig:

Gold:

line to put at top of sig:

Platinum:

line to put at top of sig:

<img src="http://i.imgur.com/vVRv5.png" border="0" alt="" title="" width="120" height="80" align="right" />

Diamond:

line to put at top of sig:

So now that we're beginning a new year, I'd like everyone to feel free to share their gardening goals for the coming year. How long are you planning on gardening? Are you waiting for inqs or baddies to fall off? Where do you plan on going from here -- future cards, mortgages or other loans? I've found that it really helps your gardening efforts if you have an idea of what you'd like your overall credit portfolio to look like and make plans for getting there.

And so, a toast to the new year! May there be much success among our members as they continue to work towards their credit and gardening goals!

Re: Garden Club Meeting - January 2013

drkaje — Mon, 31 Dec 2012 22:31:37 GMT

Count me in!

Re: Garden Club Meeting - January 2013

tinuviel — Sat, 26 Jan 2013 20:25:05 GMT

I feel that I'm starting off the new year in good shape -- better shape than I've been in a long, long time. Currently, I'm nuturing the following cards:

Cap1 Venture Visa Signature - $6400 CL

Cap1 NHCR MC - $750 CL (my DD is AU on this account and is using it to build her credit and learn to manage a card)

BoA BankAmericard 1-2-3 Cash Rewards Visa Signature (UCF Alumni Association) - $5000 CL

Discover More - $2000 CL

Citi Diamond Preferred MC - $6800 CL

Wells Fargo Rewards Visa - $7000 CL

Dillard's Amex - $6000 CL

JC Penney's - $2800 CL

Kay Jewelers - $5100 CL

Amex Green - NPSL

I'm very, very happy with what I have and am not seeking any further cards at this point. The BoA, Discover, Citi and WF cards were acquired last Aug, so I'm waiting for these to age at least 6 months. After that -- and probably at the 9 month or longer mark -- I'll be looking at getting an auto loan for a new car. I want the best possible rate, and I should be able to get a good one if my scores (see siggy) stay on track or continue to inch up. I'd like to get to 740 or above across the board. In the meantime, I'm going to continue to tend to my cards and see if any auto CLIs come my way.

Happy gardening, everyone!

Re: Garden Club Meeting - January 2013

bbb3601 — Mon, 31 Dec 2012 22:49:46 GMT

2012 has been good to me! Closed a few store cards 90 days ago and really have no true needs for a new card. Plan on hitting up chase, and USAA for increases in the spring, and maybe a airline or hotel reward card in the summer. Been thinking about knocking off Barclay's. I haven't pulled my scores in months. I am gardening the following accounts

NFCU 10k

USAA 2k

Cap-1 2k

Barclay's 1500

Chase 1k

HSN 750

Walmart 700

Marathon 500

VS 300

Old Navy 500

Re: Garden Club Meeting - January 2013

injustifiiable — Mon, 31 Dec 2012 22:52:17 GMT

I've had no HP's since September, but I do have a new account through WFNNB that I got through SP only. So, I guess I'm back to Square One.

Here's what I'm working with:

Capital One Secured: $500
Household: $400
1st Savings: $500
Show MasterCard: $500
Express/WFNNB: $1,000

Planning on applying for Barclays in the Spring, and Chase, Discover and USAA later in the fall when my EQ report is looking shiny. At that point it'll be time to clean house a little....lol.

Re: Garden Club Meeting - January 2013

SE7EN57 — Mon, 31 Dec 2012 23:21:34 GMT

I'm going to join the club as well. My last hard pull was a couple days ago and I'm going to garden till at least july making that 6 months. Good luck everybody!

EDIT: Come to think of it my Fulton card is supposed to graduate in Febuary tho hmm?

Re: Garden Club Meeting - January 2013

tinuviel — Mon, 31 Dec 2012 23:16:31 GMT

injustifiiable wrote:
I've had no HP's since September, but I do have a new account through WFNNB that I got through SP only. So, I guess I'm back to Square One.

Here's what I'm working with:

Capital One Secured: $500
Household: $400
1st Savings: $500
Show MasterCard: $500
Express/WFNNB: $1,000
Planning on applying for Barclays in the Spring, and Chase, Discover and USAA later in the fall when my EQ report is looking shiny. At that point it'll be time to clean house a little....lol.

Yes, a new account will bring you back to seedling level, even though it was a SP. It looks like a nice card for you, though, so congrats and take good care of it! :)

Re: Garden Club Meeting - January 2013

webhopper — Mon, 31 Dec 2012 23:28:18 GMT

I'm going to be in the garden tomorrow after PRG app.... then the goal is to garden for 1 year.

Ive had a lot of success this year with getting prime cards and refinancing a house; buying a house; refinancing a car; and buying a car....

2013 will be about paying down installment debt... specifically trying to pay off one of the cars and maybe the student loan. We paid off two cars last year but unfortunately one of them got wrecked and was a total loss. Thanks to gardening I was able to get a new car at 1.79% interest.

Anyways; for all of you new gardeners!!! Hang in there because you too can be successful when you stay the course and practice doing the things that lead to a secure financial house.

Best of luck and happy gardening to all! Hopefully someone will do a toast with me later on to welcome the new year!

Re: Garden Club Meeting - January 2013

tinuviel — Mon, 31 Dec 2012 23:53:48 GMT

webhopper wrote:
I'm going to be in the garden tomorrow after PRG app.... then the goal is to garden for 1 year.

Ive had a lot of success this year with getting prime cards and refinancing a house; buying a house; refinancing a car; and buying a car....

2013 will be about paying down installment debt... specifically trying to pay off one of the cars and maybe the student loan. We paid off two cars last year but unfortunately one of them got wrecked and was a total loss. Thanks to gardening I was able to get a new car at 1.79% interest.

Anyways; for all of you new gardeners!!! Hang in there because you too can be successful when you stay the course and practice doing the things that lead to a secure financial house.

Best of luck and happy gardening to all! Hopefully someone will do a toast with me later on to welcome the new year!

I'll check in here with you around midnight, right after I toast with my DH. :)

Re: Garden Club Meeting - January 2013

jsucool76 — Tue, 01 Jan 2013 00:22:22 GMT

I'm still here. The itch is killing me though.

Edit: I'll toast with you webhopper. haha.

Re: Garden Club Meeting - January 2013

armbenderc — Tue, 01 Jan 2013 00:27:08 GMT

Coming out in January for Amex BCE/P

Will garden after for CSP. :smileysurprised:

Re: Garden Club Meeting - January 2013

linux007969 — Tue, 01 Jan 2013 00:38:56 GMT

I'm gonna enter the garden now since i accomplished so much in 2012 and i'm getting my Amex Green in the mail real soon, so i will have no need to leave the garden to app. One thing that will happen in 2013 is that my BofA 123 Secured should graduate july/August and if i want an increase if they dont give me a good one then that will be a HP. Throughout 2013 i will be calling up GE Credit Solutuons to get my limits increased and i wanna see if Discover can give me a small increase with a soft pull. then later at the end of 2013 i may app for a Amex BCE and if i get approved then they can backdate the account to 2012 and then i can cancel the Green Charge card unless they are willing to waive the annual fee for a second year.

I am really happy with my credit profile i made major accomplishments in a very short amount of time. Not counting the Amex Green I have $5,650 in available credit to me and that is awesome considering i started 2012 with no credit at all!

Here's to an even better year in 2013! :smileyvery-happy:

Re: Garden Club Meeting - January 2013

creditnocash — Tue, 01 Jan 2013 00:39:21 GMT

Well 2012 was good but 2013 will be better!
The only cards I want left are Amex so they backdate.
My score dropped to an all time low of 635! Due to 20% over multiple cards.
So that curbs any app itch.

Will still app for bce for giggles though and my score!
No new inquiries in 5 months but coming up on my bronze spade on Saturday the 5th.

Good luck too everyone this year and may only good things happen.

Plan on using All my cards at least once every three months to keep them active.

And paying off everything!! Only at 4k which should be down to 3k by Friday!

Re: Garden Club Meeting - January 2013

Rhaeny — Tue, 01 Jan 2013 00:47:25 GMT

Well 2012 was a blast for me so 2013 must be strictly dedicated to nurturing my garden for full bloom 2014. My entire garden was acquired in 2012 and my goal for 2013 is at least a $40K overall CL and scores 750 minimum across the board. 2013 is also the year all of the last of my baddies will drop off so we shall see if this puts me in a rebucketing situation but I am crossing my fingers that it doesn't. Nonetheless today is the end of adding new plants and the beginning of beautiful blooms and blossoms!

DCU Visa Platinum $7,500
NFCU Visa Signature $5,000
Barclays Apple Visa $2,000
Discover IT $1,000
Genisys Visa $900
CreditOne $500
JCP $1,500
Macy's Store $1,300
Amazon Store $1,200
Walmart Store $1,000
Victoria’s Secret $750
Woman Within $750
Catherines $300
The Avenue $150

Re: Garden Club Meeting - January 2013

LesWH — Tue, 01 Jan 2013 00:58:20 GMT

I'm coming out of the garden 1 minute after midnight for BCE and CSP. After that, i will plant myself firmly back in and let my seedlings grow!!

Re: Garden Club Meeting - January 2013

Unique620 — Tue, 01 Jan 2013 01:03:57 GMT

Last app was December 5. Plan to stay in gardening mode into the new year.

Re: Garden Club Meeting - January 2013

Wolf3 — Tue, 01 Jan 2013 01:13:54 GMT

What about those who are planning to refinance a mortgage? Is that in or out of the garden?

Re: Garden Club Meeting - January 2013

creditnocash — Tue, 01 Jan 2013 01:19:22 GMT

Wolf3 wrote:
What about those who are planning to refinance a mortgage? Is that in or out of the garden?

if you take an inquiry to refinance your out but its a big reason to step out. and hopefully for the better.

ANY hard pull will result in this.

Re: Garden Club Meeting - January 2013

jrodzmc09 — Tue, 01 Jan 2013 01:30:15 GMT

Unfortunately coming out January to move on up in this world from a NFCU Secure nRewards to possibly a NFCU Flagship Signature CC :)

2012 Was a good year, I could honestly say that. Got a couple derogs removed. Got some funny things too, like Express cleaning my slate and giving me a new account on the same phone call. That was weird.

Gardening

Barclays Financing Visa $1,200

USAA Secured AMEX $1,000 (closing after the 2yrs and trying for an unsecured)

NFCU nRewards MC $1,000 (upgrading to unsecured)

Macys Store Card $1,200 (oldest removing account)

Express Store Card $250 (newest account)

Paypal SC $800

Future Cards

NFCU Flagship Signature CC

Walmart Discovery CC

AMEX GOLD (some day lol)

Barclays Steelers NFL CC

Re: Garden Club Meeting - January 2013

visorboy1974 — Tue, 01 Jan 2013 01:35:36 GMT

Stepped out late this year to get a new car and a couple of cards. Here is what my garden consists of:

UIECU IlliniCard Rewards Visa $26,620
PSECU PSL/Visa combo $20,000
Alliant Platinum Rewards Visa $17,000
Barclaycard Rewards Platinum MasterCard $12,500
Nordstrom Visa Signature $12,000
Chase United MileagePlus Club Visa Signature $8,000
State Farm Bank Platinum Rewards Visa $6,000
The BMW Card Visa $5,250
Macy's Red Card $4,400
Dell Premier $3,000
72 month auto loan at 3.29%

Hope to garden the entire year and buy my dream home! Happy New Year to everybody!