Hey Everyone!
So like many out there, I started out my adult life destroying my credit. I had no role models growing up when it came to money or credit. Then after realizing how bad I was at managing credit, I avoided it like the plague. Of course, that was not a long term solution. In 2008, I decided to start paying on my student loans for the first time. Then I got a secured CC that I put $1000 down for $1500 limit. After that I got my credit report, which of course was ugly. So I decided there wan't anything I could do at least for a few years but ensure that I kept paying my bills on time every month. In 2011 I found out about this site and the fico score. I was determined to educate myself. The last of my old negative crap finally fell off my report in 2011. I now have a few more credit cards and two car loans that are joint with my husband. I am very proud to have the scores I have. It has taken time and hard work, but I have started seeing the rewards that go along with being responsible with credit. I just got approved this week for a Discover Card with a $3500 cl. Now I just want to pay down my balances. Right now I have a utilization of 27%. My goal is to pay off all of my cards but one which I want to have below a 15% utilization by the end if the year. This year I will apply for no more cards. I will let my accounts age. Starting to think about the possibility of purchasing a home in the next few years. I am so thankful that I found this site and these forums. It is crazy how little I really knew before I did.
Starting Score: TU 719 1/7/12, 706 Equifax 1/7/12