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Recommended gardening time?

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zsepthenne
Regular Contributor

Recommended gardening time?

I have a Carecredit card $0/700 that I've had for a year, high balance was $383, paid off slowly (before I learned about utilization from all you helpful folks :-)). Applied for a BofA card was approved for a partially secured (graduating time 1Yr) $500 as of 9/13 Ex score at that time was 651, charged $40 PIF on first statement. Applied for Walmart 9/13, approved $600, first statement has just cut, will PIF $134 that was charged before due date. Approved for VS with shopping cart trick lol, $750 limit. Tried Express last night but popup window is messed up. Wondering if it's for the best as one more card so soon might be too much? Tried to get increase on Carecredit, asked after getting the new accounts, was denied, TU score was 639. Walmart TU- 642 (before first statements), Quizzle-713, Credit sesame-683, credit karma-602(ahhh!).

My short term goals are to get my credit scores into high 600s, obtain an unsecured non retail higher limit card (preferably 2), a good walmart CLI, and and a Care Credit CLI. So how long would you recommend I garden?

Beginning Scores 9/2013: EX 651, TU 639 Short term goals: Scores in the mid 700s 1/15 TU08 701| 4/2018 TU08 800!! |11/2019 TU 785
CapOne Quicksilver $5000 | Barclaycard Rewards Mastercard $6900 | Amex Everyday $15000 | Discover It $13000 | Cap One Walmart Mastercard $8000 | BofA Cash Rewards $3200 | CareCredit $7200 | Citibank Double Cash $10500 | Chase AARP $5500
Message 1 of 8
7 REPLIES 7
FinStar
Moderator Emeritus

Re: Recommended gardening time?

You've done well so far.  8 - 12 months at best, no new apps, no HPs.  This will help offset any factors associated with your recent inquiries and new accounts.  Optimal results for growing your portfolio would be best assessed after 12 months.  Best of luck on your credit journey!

Message 2 of 8
zsepthenne
Regular Contributor

Re: Recommended gardening time?

Ok, I will try my hardest to shoot for a year. Good things come to those who wait, at least regarding credit heh. Getting a CLI from walmart after four statements should be ok though, right?

Beginning Scores 9/2013: EX 651, TU 639 Short term goals: Scores in the mid 700s 1/15 TU08 701| 4/2018 TU08 800!! |11/2019 TU 785
CapOne Quicksilver $5000 | Barclaycard Rewards Mastercard $6900 | Amex Everyday $15000 | Discover It $13000 | Cap One Walmart Mastercard $8000 | BofA Cash Rewards $3200 | CareCredit $7200 | Citibank Double Cash $10500 | Chase AARP $5500
Message 3 of 8
FinStar
Moderator Emeritus

Re: Recommended gardening time?


@zsepthenne wrote:

Ok, I will try my hardest to shoot for a year. Good things come to those who wait, at least regarding credit heh. Getting a CLI from walmart after four statements should be ok though, right?


Yes, patience and time is something that will be of great benefit in the end.  You are always welcome to pop by the gardening thread and say hi and/or socialize with other forum members with similar goals.

 

As far as the Wally card CLI requests go, yes since those are are SPs (except for CareCredit or other GE specialy financing programs).

Message 4 of 8
FinStar
Moderator Emeritus

Re: Recommended gardening time?

Also, your VS card would be elegible to request for a CLI after 9 months (unless you get an auto-CLI before then), and any CLI requests for VS (or other Comenity-backed cards) are also SPs.

Message 5 of 8
zsepthenne
Regular Contributor

Re: Recommended gardening time?

Thanks for the helpful information :-D Heading to the gardening thread!

Beginning Scores 9/2013: EX 651, TU 639 Short term goals: Scores in the mid 700s 1/15 TU08 701| 4/2018 TU08 800!! |11/2019 TU 785
CapOne Quicksilver $5000 | Barclaycard Rewards Mastercard $6900 | Amex Everyday $15000 | Discover It $13000 | Cap One Walmart Mastercard $8000 | BofA Cash Rewards $3200 | CareCredit $7200 | Citibank Double Cash $10500 | Chase AARP $5500
Message 6 of 8
Omnipotent
Regular Contributor

Re: Recommended gardening time?

I think the one store card is good unless you must have Express. It will get you where you want to go. All it takes is patience and time.

Message 7 of 8
FocusedAndDetermined
Senior Contributor

Re: Recommended gardening time?

Follow the advice that has been posted so far, and you will be in a much better position for new/"better" cards.  At this point, it is not only the inquiries lowering your scores but also a relatively short AAoA.  Once the AAoA goes up and the ding from the inquiries go down, you should see a nice score bump.  Hang touogh and check in to the garden. Lot's of great support there.

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