So, EQ and EX are both in the 700's and TU is over 640 now. I have a Walmart card and a Capital One Journey card...I also have a Buckles store card which I don't plan to ever..ever use. I only got it because I was able to get it with only a soft pull. Anyway, for the sake of having a strong safety net, would there be any harm in applying for more credit cards? Would that negatively impact my credit scores or would it be helpful? I am also planning to either purchase or lease a car in a month or two and I was wondering if it is better to wait until after an auto deal is finalised since credit score plays a big role in the application process.
Starting Score: 630
Have you looked at the available pre-qual sites?
I wouldn't aimlessly apply for cards. That would be a bad idea 
@Anonymous wrote:
@Mshellt wrote:So, EQ and EX are both in the 700's and TU is over 640 now. I have a Walmart card and a Capital One Journey card...I also have a Buckles store card which I don't plan to ever..ever use. I only got it because I was able to get it with only a soft pull. Anyway, for the sake of having a strong safety net, would there be any harm in applying for more credit cards? Would that negatively impact my credit scores or would it be helpful? I am also planning to either purchase or lease a car in a month or two and I was wondering if it is better to wait until after an auto deal is finalised since credit score plays a big role in the application process.
What's holding back your TU report?
It's a bank's charge off from about 6 years ago. I would pay it off since my life is more financially stable now, but I have been told that the bad mark will stay even longer if I pay it off now. It should fall off some time in April.
@Mshellt wrote:So, EQ and EX are both in the 700's and TU is over 640 now. I have a Walmart card and a Capital One Journey card...I also have a Buckles store card which I don't plan to ever..ever use. I only got it because I was able to get it with only a soft pull. Anyway, for the sake of having a strong safety net, would there be any harm in applying for more credit cards? Would that negatively impact my credit scores or would it be helpful? I am also planning to either purchase or lease a car in a month or two and I was wondering if it is better to wait until after an auto deal is finalised since credit score plays a big role in the application process.
Don't apply for anything until after the car loan. Optimize your FICO score using this technique:
If the Chargeoff on TU falls off in April, my opinion is to wait until after it falls off before you app for a car. If the dealership pulls TU, you're screwed.
The interest money you will pay between a 640 interest tier and 700 tier is significant amount when you consider the purchase amount and number of years.
If you can wait, get 2 new credit cards now, wait for those to age 6 months and your chargeoff will fall off in April. Then apply in May with a much better score on all 3 reports
Unless you know of a dealer that only pulls EQ/EX 
@Anonymous wrote:If the Chargeoff on TU falls off in April, my opinion is to wait until after it falls off before you app for a car. If the dealership pulls TU, you're screwed.
The interest money you will pay between a 640 interest tier and 700 tier is significant amount when you consider the purchase amount and number of years.
If you can wait, get 2 new credit cards now, wait for those to age 6 months and your chargeoff will fall off in April. Then apply in May with a much better score on all 3 reports
Unless you know of a dealer that only pulls EQ/EX
Good idea. Would it matter much though if I am leasing? My great "plan" was to lease a honda fit with the intention of purchasing it at the end of the lease agreement (mainly because I think I'd go over the allotted mileage.)