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Hi. I am the original poster. This site didn't keep my original login, so I had to add the 2004.
Just to clear some things up, so you all will have a better understanding:
The ambulance bill of $800.00 was back in 2006, actually filed the end of 06. It was a judgement, because it never got paid. (This was before we were married.) Someone told me that wasn't that big of a deal, since it was an old debt, and would be on record regardless of whether or not it was paid?
Second, my husband has 2 Capital one CCs. His limit is 350 on one, and 400 on the other. For the 350, we try and keep it less than $75/month, and pay it off at the end of each month. For the other one, we try and keep it less than $100.00 and pay it off as well.
It really aggravated me that my bank does not report his $8000.00 auto loan. He has paid it on time (289/month) and most of the time we pay $350/month, with only $5000 remaining on this loan. Do most small banks report if you ask them to?
My thoughts are: WHAT IF: We only used less than $20/each on the credit cards, and paid them off each month for 3-4 months. Would his score go up then? Would it be better to not pay them off each month?
Just wanted to add this bit of information about the CC and judgement to try and get some help. It's very frustrating.
BTW, for the person wondering about me. I do have a credit card, paid off monthly, my score is in the 680s, but I am a stay at home mom, so the chances of me getting the mortgage loan are much less.
It would be best if one card reports zero (paid off) and the other one has a balance of less than 10% of the credit line, that way your husband will maximize his score. If he can get his bank to report his monthly payments on the auto loan that would be great. Just ask the bank, see what they will do. Just reducing the balances on the credit cards ought to help. Your husband might consider getting a Jared's card too if you aren't getting the mortgage for another few months. I say that because the Jared's credit people give very large lines and you don't need high scores to get a very good credit line. That will help your husband with his utility which will increase his score. The inquiry will give an initial ding that 's why I said do it if the mortgage application is not for several (6+) months.
JM_AM
I do the same thing, I don't use them much and rotate them around. If I know im gonna need a credit pull I plan ahead and make sure the util is perfect.
I have maxed all of my cards at one point to test this. And then paid it off.
I have 4 cards and only once on one card was my CL increased.