Greetings, fellow credit gardeners! It's time to convene this month's Garden Club meeting. A new month, a new thread.
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 are in the gardening phase of your credit journey, please feel free to join us. If you have not already done so, please pick up your complimentary garden gloves and watering can at the table by the front door -- you can even choose your favorite color. Also, we have a snack table set up. This month, I've brought a combination of hot and mild wings along with celery and blue cheese and ranch dips. There's also a selection of cold beers and soft drinks. Last month, one of our members requested some mini hot dogs in bbq sauce, so we have them available, as well. And, in the corner diagonally across from the front door, there is a fully stocked bar. If needed, there are some anti-itch medications stocked in our supply cabinet near the door -- Lanacaine, Benedryl, etc.
Please come in, grab some refreshment if you desire, and share your gardening experiences.
In particular, I'd like to talk a little bit about gardening goals this month. I think that it helps to have a game plan in place when developing or managing one's credit. Speaking for myself, I'd like to accomplish the following:
- Wait for 1 CA and 2 COs to age off of my reports, both of which should happen before the end of this year.
- See my FICO scoress cross the 700 threshhold.
- When the first two items have occured, app for and hopefully be approved for a prime Visa and MC. In particular, I'd really like the BoA 1-2-3 card that supports my alum association. I'd also like a Wells Fargo Visa, as I bank there and would like to use it for overdraft protection.
- If, but only if, offered an Amex preapproval -- I'd like the BCE. The rewards are good and it would backdate to 1987.
Currently, this is what I'm tending to in my garden:
Cap1 Visa Platinum - 6400 CL
Cap1 NHCR MC - 750 CL
Dillard's Amex - 4200 CL
JC Penney - 1800 CL
Kay Jewelers - 5100 CL
Amex Green - NPSL
The Cap1 Visa is from 1999. The Amex backdates to 1987. The remaining cards are from 2010-2011. I also have some old, paid accounts from the late 90s / early 2000s that will stay on my reports for a while. So, my AAoA is between 8-9 years, depending on the CRA.
I've received a pre-qual offer from Wells Fargo for a cash rewards Visa, but I've been successfully ignoring it. I want to wait for the baddies to drop off before making the app. For a little while I had a pretty bad itch, but that's passed. I'm staying focused on my goals.
So, how's everyone else doing? Please share!
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
Howdy, howdy boys and girls.
I won't bother to post my (ridiculous number of) credit cards, but I'm more than 30 days app free, and intend to stay that way until 01 November.
I've got lots of low limit CC's (rebuilders and store cards mostly) and need to wait for inq's to fall off while working on my utilization.
Happy Gardening!
CS800 wrote:Checking in the garden in Feb. Still app free
Just got my 3X CLI from AMEX today. Great start
I just saw your thread about the CLI. Fantastic! Now THAT'S watching a tradeline grow!!!!! 
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
myFICO is the consumer division of FICO. Since its introduction 20 years ago, the FICO® Score has become a global standard for measuring credit risk in the banking, mortgage, credit card, auto and retail industries. 90 of the top 100 largest U.S. financial institutions use the FICO Score to make consumer credit decisions.
>> About myFICO
