Credit Cards

[Sitori]

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codimom wrote:

^^^ this.  Walmart would be a good starter as its a: GE and they grow nicely and b: free tu score

close that fp as soon as you can.. don't pay an AF for that garbage.

then garden garden garden!

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Walmart it is...

but BOO on the FP! I really need something else along with the retail card, just for general purposes.  Is there something else I could get besides the FP? Or is the secured route my only option

[codimom]

a secured card from your bank or credit union.  I'd start there.

[distantarray]

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Sitori wrote:

Or is the secured route my only option

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Secured DCU like I already mentioned remember that free fico score monthly would run you $240 a year in power score purchases alone =x plus they're a good bank that'll grow with you. PSECU if you can for Ex score but PA residents only unless your family or live with a current member.

[Sitori]

My family lives in PA. I live in FL.  Would that work? lol.

I think DCU requires a min of $500. I would probably have to start lower than that for now and increase it later. I'm a full-time student and barely work

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distantarray wrote:

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Sitori wrote:

Or is the secured route my only option

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Secured DCU like I already mentioned remember that free fico score monthly would run you $240 a year in power score purchases alone =x plus they're a good bank that'll grow with you. PSECU if you can for Ex score but PA residents only unless your family or live with a current member.

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[swpopham]

lack of income is alot of the problem.

[nuggets321]

Dont be dismayed.... i called for a CLI on my measly $5oo limit that they gave me a year ago.... had to take a hard pull for it..... tried over and over again to get them to do it via soft pull , but about 5 different CSRs said no way. I let them go ahead and do a a hard pull and they agve me another joke of a $300 increase bringing it to $800. I would say go the secured route for 8-12 months (maybe out at least 1k in the deposit account if possible) and see what happens in a year. They say higher limits beget higher limits and I think myself, that it does ring true.... just remember to be patient ...(my one downfall in this whole credit game)

[Sitori]

What about "student" cards? Are they the same thing as secured cards?

[webhopper]

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Sitori wrote:

What about "student" cards? Are they the same thing as secured cards?

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Student cards are almost as hard to get a normal cards...  You really don't have a good chance with them right now. It would be a waste of inquiries

[webhopper]

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Sitori wrote:

My family lives in PA. I live in FL.  Would that work? lol.

I think DCU requires a min of $500. I would probably have to start lower than that for now and increase it later. I'm a full-time student and barely work

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distantarray wrote:

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Sitori wrote:

Or is the secured route my only option

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Secured DCU like I already mentioned remember that free fico score monthly would run you $240 a year in power score purchases alone =x plus they're a good bank that'll grow with you. PSECU if you can for Ex score but PA residents only unless your family or live with a current member.

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If you are a full time student and barely work, that's even more reason to go the secured route. If you run into problems and think you might be late, you can always call and request them to close it before you are late. Then they can use your deposit to pay the account in full and you get your funds back.  A "regular" credit card is not as easy to deal with if you get in a tough spot.

I agree with others who have suggested that you look into a Credit Union.  At this point I would say hold off on a "regular" card, and go with a "secured" one.  At this stage in your life you can substantial harm rather than good by getting a product that is beyond your ability to repay

[Sitori]

YAY!! I was approved for Amazon with $1200 CL     

Yes, I will do the secured card and get rid of the FP asap.  Hopefully with this amazon card (and possibly another store card in the next month or so) I will have some history and will be able to get a better unsecured card next year.  =)

thanks for all your help!!!