bri wrote: Thanks for the sound advice. Regarding the increase, I'm assuming it would be better to ask for it when the util is lower. How long do you think I should wait after paying off a card before I ask for a limit increase? Also, do I call and just ask directly, if I can get an increase without doing a credit check? The cards are MBNA/BofA, Discover, and Capital One.
Here's my take:
I know you feel pressured to fix a lot of Stuff now, now, now, but the best thing you can do before asking anyone for anything is to get everything paid down, and then wait for them to post onto your credit reports, and then just sit back and breathe.
The thing about credit scores is that they are completely short-term memory. They have no idea how you looked a week/ month/ year ago; all they know is the data they are looking at now.
But in asking for a CL increase, it's completely different--your CCC knows exactly what your history is. If you've been running at 99% for a while due to unemployment, I'm betting that they would like to see 3-6 months of your being able to keep it at 10-30% (even better, 1-9%) before they raise your limits.
And be kind to yourself--after you have paid down your accounts, use the money that used to go to your accounts to pay back your sister so that you don't have that emotional anchor to drag around. Maybe pick up a second 10 hour a week job for a while if you don't have small children--I work two jobs, and it's amazing what it did for my financial health. (Besides, I'm too tired and have no time to spend again.) It looks like you're really close to having a really pretty credit report. Hang in there, don't go crazy, give yourself some time, and you'll be way ahead of where I am with your scores! good luck
Message Edited by haulingthescoreup on
09-26-2007 01:39 AM
* Credit is a wonderful servant, but a terrible master. * Who's the boss --you or your credit?
FICO's: EQ 781 - TU 793 - EX 779 (from PSECU) - Done credit hunting; having fun with credit gardening. - EQ 590 on 5/14/2007