Earlier in this thread I posted about my DH's success with a CLI on one of his GE backed cards. Unfortunately, I did not have success with one of mine. 
My Dillard's hit its fourth statement since the last CLI, so I decided attempt another one. I got the "We're sorry but you're not eligible at this time" message. Today, the letter arrived. And, it's what I suspected -- the CA that's sitting on my reports. I was approved for the card last April with 2 CAs and a 4 COs; now I'm down to 1 CA and 2 COs. The CA had fallen off of my report last fall, but was sold to another JDB and popped up again last December. So, even though it's the result of an old CO (one of the two still on my reports), it looks "new." That was also one of the reasons -- time since CA too recent, or words to that effect.
The upside is that, since I was denied the CLI, I was eligible to get a free copy of my TU report. The full, official report shows the drop off dates for baddies. According to the report, the CA and both of the COs that remain are all scheduled to drop off in 08/2012. And, TU has always been good about dropping baddies off by the projected drop off date. So, four more months and I should be CA and CO free! Whew!!!
Another thing that I learned from reviewing my report is that GE softed me on both my Dillard's and my JC Penney back in February. So, they don't soft in real time when you request a CLI. I always like knowing how a company does these things, so was good to learn that.
So I now know how much more time, at a minimum, I need to continue with my gardening efforts. No point at all in stepping out of the garden until these items are gone. Once my reports are free of the CA and COs, I'll try again for a CLI on my Dillard's. This will give me a pretty fair indication of how my credit looks to lenders and will give me a reasonable gauge as to whether I'm ready to attempt the prime cards that I would like to app for later this year.
The good news -- no AA from Dillard's; my CL remains at $4200. That made me happy. I do like looking at the bright side of things. 
(Edited for typos)
Starting Scores for 2013: EQ 723, TU 735, EX Credit Sesame 751
Current Scores: EQ 733, TU 724 (05/01/2013), EX Credit Sesame 725 (05/08/2013)
Goal Score: 740+ FICO scores
Take the FICO Fitness Challenge Bronze Spade Garden Club Member - Last App: 03/04/2013 - No apps until Fall 2013
Cards: Cap1 Venture 6.4k, Cap1 NHCR MC 750, BankAmericard 1-2-3 Visa Signature - UCF Alumni Association 5k, Discover 4k, Citi Diamond Preferred MC 7.55k, Wells Fargo Rewards Visa 7k, Chase Freedom 5k, Chase Ink 7.5k, Amex Green NPSL, Dillard's Amex 7.5k, JC Penney 4.2k, Kay Jeweler's 5.1k
Sorry about the CLI denial Tinuviel. However, you are looking at it the right way. You can use the information you gather from it to better strategize on your gardening plan. That is always a positive. From the looks of it though, this year will be your year! Especially with the baddies dropping off soon. Good luck in your endeavors and thanks for this post. I have learned so much from it over the months.
Starting over in the garden...my seed has been planted:-)Last app: 02/23/2013
frugalQ wrote:Hello Everyone,
i am new to the garden. This weekend, I got approved for Amex Green and Chase Freedom. I'm hoping these cards will have a very positive effect on my credit score. I plan to be here for a while. I am hoping to get Amex revolver and Chase Sapphire next year.
If I get the itch and need to step out of the garden before then, it will be for a Discover. However, this will not be until Amex and Chase shows up on my credit report...and I see a bump in my scores.
I can bring the veggie platter to party!
Hello, and welcome to the club! Thanks for the veggie platter, that was very considerate of you.
You have some very nice approvals with the Amex and Chase -- congrats. Take good care of them and you will be in good shape for future cards.
Starting Scores for 2013: EQ 723, TU 735, EX Credit Sesame 751
Current Scores: EQ 733, TU 724 (05/01/2013), EX Credit Sesame 725 (05/08/2013)
Goal Score: 740+ FICO scores
Take the FICO Fitness Challenge Bronze Spade Garden Club Member - Last App: 03/04/2013 - No apps until Fall 2013
Cards: Cap1 Venture 6.4k, Cap1 NHCR MC 750, BankAmericard 1-2-3 Visa Signature - UCF Alumni Association 5k, Discover 4k, Citi Diamond Preferred MC 7.55k, Wells Fargo Rewards Visa 7k, Chase Freedom 5k, Chase Ink 7.5k, Amex Green NPSL, Dillard's Amex 7.5k, JC Penney 4.2k, Kay Jeweler's 5.1k
tcbofade wrote:I know that it hasn't been 24 hours yet, but when the Garden thread gets to page three, I get nervous.
Y'all behaving yourselves out there?
I am still gardening...against my will, maybe...but gardening none the less...
It hits that the first day of the thread!!! 
Starting Scores for 2013: EQ 723, TU 735, EX Credit Sesame 751
Current Scores: EQ 733, TU 724 (05/01/2013), EX Credit Sesame 725 (05/08/2013)
Goal Score: 740+ FICO scores
Take the FICO Fitness Challenge Bronze Spade Garden Club Member - Last App: 03/04/2013 - No apps until Fall 2013
Cards: Cap1 Venture 6.4k, Cap1 NHCR MC 750, BankAmericard 1-2-3 Visa Signature - UCF Alumni Association 5k, Discover 4k, Citi Diamond Preferred MC 7.55k, Wells Fargo Rewards Visa 7k, Chase Freedom 5k, Chase Ink 7.5k, Amex Green NPSL, Dillard's Amex 7.5k, JC Penney 4.2k, Kay Jeweler's 5.1k
tubesock wrote:Still Gardening over here...
Contemplating my thoughts on Buying a home vs. Traveling OR, Buying a smaller/less-expensive one so that I can have both my cake and eat it too.
Been also thinking about putting the $8k car balance on my soon-to-be-paid-off Citi Platinum which is offering me 0% interest for one year. I would still have to pay the 3% B/T fee but my 5.9% interest that I currently have on the vehicle is daily interest. That daily compounding interest is more money in the banks pocket. I would save about 1/2 the interest ($240+) by sticking on the CC. But then of course my UTL would go up to 34% but then I would have about a year before we're looking at buying/traveling to bring that down to the >7% I'm trying to achieve.
Save money or have a good score when I'm not buying anything. I'm thinking, SAVE MONEY!!!
Anyone have any suggestions...please feel free to share.
34% util will cause a score ding, but it's not a horrible util ratio. I don't think that it's likely to scare any of your existing creditors. So, since you're not planning on any immediate credit apps (that's why you're in the garden, right?), I'd take the temporary score hit and save a bunch of money. Just my 2 cents.
Starting Scores for 2013: EQ 723, TU 735, EX Credit Sesame 751
Current Scores: EQ 733, TU 724 (05/01/2013), EX Credit Sesame 725 (05/08/2013)
Goal Score: 740+ FICO scores
Take the FICO Fitness Challenge Bronze Spade Garden Club Member - Last App: 03/04/2013 - No apps until Fall 2013
Cards: Cap1 Venture 6.4k, Cap1 NHCR MC 750, BankAmericard 1-2-3 Visa Signature - UCF Alumni Association 5k, Discover 4k, Citi Diamond Preferred MC 7.55k, Wells Fargo Rewards Visa 7k, Chase Freedom 5k, Chase Ink 7.5k, Amex Green NPSL, Dillard's Amex 7.5k, JC Penney 4.2k, Kay Jeweler's 5.1k
tonyaether wrote:Sorry about the CLI denial Tinuviel. However, you are looking at it the right way. You can use the information you gather from it to better strategize on your gardening plan. That is always a positive. From the looks of it though, this year will be your year! Especially with the baddies dropping off soon. Good luck in your endeavors and thanks for this post. I have learned so much from it over the months.
+1
It's all so close...continue to hang on and those Prime's are yours!
tinuviel wrote:
tubesock wrote:Still Gardening over here...
Contemplating my thoughts on Buying a home vs. Traveling OR, Buying a smaller/less-expensive one so that I can have both my cake and eat it too.
Been also thinking about putting the $8k car balance on my soon-to-be-paid-off Citi Platinum which is offering me 0% interest for one year. I would still have to pay the 3% B/T fee but my 5.9% interest that I currently have on the vehicle is daily interest. That daily compounding interest is more money in the banks pocket. I would save about 1/2 the interest ($240+) by sticking on the CC. But then of course my UTL would go up to 34% but then I would have about a year before we're looking at buying/traveling to bring that down to the >7% I'm trying to achieve.
Save money or have a good score when I'm not buying anything. I'm thinking, SAVE MONEY!!!
Anyone have any suggestions...please feel free to share.
34% util will cause a score ding, but it's not a horrible util ratio. I don't think that it's likely to scare any of your existing creditors. So, since you're not planning on any immediate credit apps (that's why you're in the garden, right?), I'd take the temporary score hit and save a bunch of money. Just my 2 cents.
Yeah, I'm thinking I'll go for it! That way, I'll work hard on paying it off as quickly as possible. And the best part...I'll own it, LOL!
Smug wrote:I am doing the same thing this year selling my 2007 4/2/2/ 3000sf going to a 2/1 770 sf home, both are paid for, it's just me and picked the little one up than the price of a used civic, putting cash away and going to travel a bit and have some fun before I he much older 52 now.
tubesock wrote:Still Gardening over here...
Contemplating my thoughts on Buying a home vs. Traveling OR, Buying a smaller/less-expensive one so that I can have both my cake and eat it too.
Been also thinking about putting the $8k car balance on my soon-to-be-paid-off Citi Platinum which is offering me 0% interest for one year. I would still have to pay the 3% B/T fee but my 5.9% interest that I currently have on the vehicle is daily interest. That daily compounding interest is more money in the banks pocket. I would save about 1/2 the interest ($240+) by sticking on the CC. But then of course my UTL would go up to 34% but then I would have about a year before we're looking at buying/traveling to bring that down to the >7% I'm trying to achieve.
Save money or have a good score when I'm not buying anything. I'm thinking, SAVE MONEY!!!
Anyone have any suggestions...please feel free to share.
I'll be 43 next month and I'm already feeling the aches & pains coming, LOL! I really want to be able to enjoy these vacations now that I'm to the point where I can afford some good ones
Gotta learn my lesson from this recession too. Don't wanna be house poor
Luckily my credit was too bad when everyone was buying. I'm afraid, I would probably have been one of those who bought too much home.
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