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Expanding my portfolio...

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mum4519
Contributor

Expanding my portfolio...

Hey everyone,

 

Long story short in 2009 I was an irresponsible college student racking up CC debt and neglecting it. I had three chargeoffs, Discover, Citi, and BofA. I ended up settling on all three of these accounts. I found my local credit union willing to get a 24 month loan for me to pay these settlements off. That was about 1 year ago. Since I took the loan, I have been working for Wells Fargo for over a year, making good money, and trying to reestablish my credit that I neglected as a college student. I'm going to hit the "garden" as you guys say, at least for a while. 

 

Cap One were the first ones willing to take the risk with me to rebuild my credit and that was with a $300 CL card. Since then (Sept 2011) this is what I have established:

 

Capital One $1,000 CL .....($0 Bal)

Wells Fargo Rewards $4,600 CL .....($220 Bal - PIF bi-weekly)

Barclays Apple Visa $2,000 CL .....($0 Bal)

Chase Amazon VISA $700 CL .....($105 Bal - PIF bi-weekly)

WalMart Store Card $500 CL .....($0 Bal)

Cabela's VISA (don't know limit yet, just applied and instant approval tonight)

 

Equifax - 655

Transunion - 707

Experian - 662

 

My scores may not be the best, but when I took out my loan last September the credit union pulled a 592, so they have jumped a good deal in 11 months. 

 

If anybody has any recommendations for me on how to continue to improve my credit, they are greatly recommended!

 

Thanks everybody!

- In My Wallet -

AMEX BCE $17,000
Wells Fargo Rewards $9,200
Chase Southwest VISA $5,200
Message 1 of 21
20 REPLIES 20
mtrsprt
Frequent Contributor

Re: Expanding my portfolio...

I am surprised you have scores that high with multiple charge-offs in 2009.  Your on your way.


Starting Score: 521 TU, 597 EQ, 574 EX on 6/20/2011
Current Score: 753 TU, 764 EQ, 766 EX on 02/17/2014
Goal Score: 720-740 Across the board


Take the FICO Fitness Challenge
Message 2 of 21
Revelate
Moderator Emeritus

Re: Expanding my portfolio...

There's nothing really you can or should do FICO wise, except perhaps pickup an Amex for future backdating (except maybe get a car loan or a mortgage, and those are rather expensive options for FICO admittedly).

 

You're doing fine, you have plenty of cards, you don't "need" any others unless there's some rewards which fits your spending profile... most of the top tier cards are probably still long shots for you, but you have a nicely rounded set anyway.  More inquiries / accounts are just going to continue to depress your score.  

 




        
Message 3 of 21
Crashem
Valued Contributor

Re: Expanding my portfolio...

You have enough tradelines to build your credit.  Only thing is if you can find use for Amex zync, I would recommend getting in with Amex early.  Amex backdating is powerful for later in life.  And Amex cli policy on revolvers is great for growing credit lines however you would have problems getting one right now.  Also, are your scores real fico scores or fakos?  Might want to get eq fico score from here if you have fakos.

               LIMITS IN CARD DESCRIPTIONS
Message 4 of 21
mum4519
Contributor

Re: Expanding my portfolio...

I am comfortable with where I am at right now. I never put money on any of my cards unless I have the money in my checking account to pay it off in full. I make multiple payments a month to keep my utilization lower. 

 

I am kind of stoked I got approved for Cabela's. I used to work for World's Foremost Bank in Lincoln, NE so I know the whole system as far as credit limit increases go. I can't remember exactly, but I do hear they start you off with pretty good credit limits.

 

Anyway, how long do inquiries and chargeoff accounts stay on your credit report?

- In My Wallet -

AMEX BCE $17,000
Wells Fargo Rewards $9,200
Chase Southwest VISA $5,200
Message 5 of 21
mum4519
Contributor

Re: Expanding my portfolio...

@Crashem

 

I use Enhanced Identity Theft Protection where I can pull a full copy of all 3 of my credit reports monthly. It is a service through Wells Fargo. Is that considered a FAKO then? 

 

As far as Amex Zync, I got declined about a week ago. Didn't do any recon for the sole purpose that I read they don't like chargeoffs especially. I'm still new to this forum and am gathering alot of good information. If you, or anyone, has any for me, please let me know.

 

Thanks.

- In My Wallet -

AMEX BCE $17,000
Wells Fargo Rewards $9,200
Chase Southwest VISA $5,200
Message 6 of 21
Crashem
Valued Contributor

Re: Expanding my portfolio...

Inquires= 2 years but only count against score for 1 year.  Charge off stays on for up to 7 and half years after dofd (date of first delinquency).

               LIMITS IN CARD DESCRIPTIONS
Message 7 of 21
Crashem
Valued Contributor

Re: Expanding my portfolio...


@mum4519 wrote:

@Crashem

 

I use Enhanced Identity Theft Protection where I can pull a full copy of all 3 of my credit reports monthly. It is a service through Wells Fargo. Is that considered a FAKO then? 

 

As far as Amex Zync, I got declined about a week ago. Didn't do any recon for the sole purpose that I read they don't like chargeoffs especially. I'm still new to this forum and am gathering alot of good information. If you, or anyone, has any for me, please let me know.

 

Thanks.


yes those are fakos.  Get your eq fico here and post it.  Amex can be sensitive about charge offs, but would like to get idea where your fico is.  Don't buy tu fico.  But the eq fico as it uses fico 04 scoring model

               LIMITS IN CARD DESCRIPTIONS
Message 8 of 21
Crashem
Valued Contributor

Re: Expanding my portfolio...

Oh go to your walmart account and get your monthly free tu fico score.  That is using fico 08 scoring model.  Post it here.

               LIMITS IN CARD DESCRIPTIONS
Message 9 of 21
mum4519
Contributor

Re: Expanding my portfolio...

All those cards besides the Wells Fargo and Cap One are new within this past week. My inquiries are going to be higher but I was looking to improve my utilization and have the purchasing power available if needed. 

 

Do you recommend the fico standard, score watch, or quarterly monitoring?

- In My Wallet -

AMEX BCE $17,000
Wells Fargo Rewards $9,200
Chase Southwest VISA $5,200
Message 10 of 21
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