Utilization question

[clocktick]

So I know about the 1-9% letting report on one card, etc.  I'm wondering, if in general, there is a "second best" thing to do.  I've read under 30% and under 50% but what's the next best, score wise, if you're going to be over 9%?  Anyone experiment with this?

[LS2982]

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@clocktick wrote:

So I know about the 1-9% letting report on one card, etc.  I'm wondering, if in general, there is a "second best" thing to do.  I've read under 30% and under 50% but what's the next best, score wise, if you're going to be over 9%?  Anyone experiment with this?

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IMO, I would say keeping it below 20% should keep you from getting dinged FICO points wise. YMMV of course.

[Chris123nTx]

From what i saw with me, going over 20% seems to hurt. Of course under 10 is best but..... I did have a second card report a balance the other day ($40) , that i had not planned on, and my scores actually increased. I was still only at 2% utilization, but the score did jump when i had two cards reporting a balance. I might play with that a bit a see what happens.

[clocktick]

Well basically, I paid in full every card and then charged $4500 on a $9400 limit card today that has 0% until February 2013.  I want to keep my FICO somewhat high the best way I can.

[Chris123nTx]

Hard to beat the zero percent on big purchases. Unless you are needing credit soon, I would not worry about it. Keep you balances on all the other cards at or near zero, and i dont think you will be hurt much. And the money you save on the zero for me anyway, would more than make up for a few points.

[LS2982]

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@Chris123nTx wrote:
Hard to beat the zero percent on big purchases. Unless you are needing credit soon, I would not worry about it. Keep you balances on all the other cards at or near zero, and i dont think you will be hurt much. And the money you save on the zero for me anyway, would more than make up for a few points.

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+1

something to think about as well!