@mikelo22 wrote:Hi all,
So I'm looking to make a ~$1200 purchase on a new computer. However, I would greatly prefer to put it on a card and pay it off during the Summer when I will be working fulltime again. I don't want to delve into my savings if possible. Right now I'm in school, so my income is much more limited. So I'm trying to figure out the best card I should put this balance on.
One option is my AMEX BCE. It has a $10k limit and zero balance at the moment. I have 0% intro APR through October 2015, so I would certainly have it paid off by then. This seems like the ideal card, but I'm worried about carrying such a hefty balance on an Amex. I don't want them lowering my CL or pursuing any other AA against me.
Another option is my Citi DC. I have 0% APR for another 12-18 months, so that wouldn't be a problem either. However, I am currently carrying a balance of $600 that I don't plan on paying off immediately as well. However, my CL is only $5,200, so adding $1200 to that would greatly increase my util.
My third option is my Discover which has 0% APR through September. However, it only has a $3k CL with roughly $800 on it that I'm carrying for emergency vet bills from my dog last year. I could pay it all off, but I'd rather hold it until I start working full time again starting in late May.
Obviously the BCE is my first choice. But my main worry is carrying such a hefty balance on an AMEX card. I really don't want to get AA'd because I really value my relationship with them. I hear Amex also doesn't like consecutive minimum payments, so is there a magic amount I should try to pay off each month?
I'm also concerned that I might spook lenders like Barclays by adding $1200 to my overall util. And I definitely don't want to do that. The computer isn't an absolute necessity, but my current one is on its last leg and I'm really not sure how much longer it's going to last.
I have no intention of any future apps for at least the next six months, so a lower FICO score in the interim from a slightly higher Util does not worry me.
Any advice is appreciated. Thanks!
That is not a hefty balance on the Amex. I had LOL when I read that.
It's 12% util on the card. I wouldn't worry about it.
Haha, thanks guys. I'm just a worry wart sometimes, espcially with Amex. 
I plan on buying all the parts separately and building it myself most likely. Just so much cheaper that way. So I'll likely be buying off Newegg.
@mikelo22 wrote:Haha, thanks guys. I'm just a worry wart sometimes, espcially with Amex.
I plan on buying all the parts separately and building it myself most likely. Just so much cheaper that way. So I'll likely be buying off Newegg.
Research. Get a going list and look at http://pcpartpicker.com/parts/partlist/ as a comparison. You might save some money.
@mikelo22 wrote:Hi all,
So I'm looking to make a ~$1200 purchase on a new computer. However, I would greatly prefer to put it on a card and pay it off during the Summer when I will be working fulltime again. I don't want to delve into my savings if possible. Right now I'm in school, so my income is much more limited. So I'm trying to figure out the best card I should put this balance on.
One option is my AMEX BCE. It has a $10k limit and zero balance at the moment. I have 0% intro APR through October 2015, so I would certainly have it paid off by then. This seems like the ideal card, but I'm worried about carrying such a hefty balance on an Amex. I don't want them lowering my CL or pursuing any other AA against me.
Another option is my Citi DC. I have 0% APR for another 12-18 months, so that wouldn't be a problem either. However, I am currently carrying a balance of $600 that I don't plan on paying off immediately as well. However, my CL is only $5,200, so adding $1200 to that would greatly increase my util.
My third option is my Discover which has 0% APR through September. However, it only has a $3k CL with roughly $800 on it that I'm carrying for emergency vet bills from my dog last year. I could pay it all off, but I'd rather hold it until I start working full time again starting in late May.
Obviously the BCE is my first choice. But my main worry is carrying such a hefty balance on an AMEX card. I really don't want to get AA'd because I really value my relationship with them. I hear Amex also doesn't like consecutive minimum payments, so is there a magic amount I should try to pay off each month?
I'm also concerned that I might spook lenders like Barclays by adding $1200 to my overall util. And I definitely don't want to do that. The computer isn't an absolute necessity, but my current one is on its last leg and I'm really not sure how much longer it's going to last.
I have no intention of any future apps for at least the next six months, so a lower FICO score in the interim from a slightly higher Util does not worry me.
Any advice is appreciated. Thanks!
i would use Citi DC for 2% cashback,or if you buy your computer from Amazon,use ur sallie
@mikelo22 wrote:Haha, thanks guys. I'm just a worry wart sometimes, espcially with Amex.
I plan on buying all the parts separately and building it myself most likely. Just so much cheaper that way. So I'll likely be buying off Newegg.
Newegg is the way to go, I've been buying from them for years, I built my computer as well, and rebuilt it with more parts from newegg