topic Re: Getting MORE difficult to sit on my hands... in Credit Cards

Getting MORE difficult to sit on my hands...

tcbofade — Tue, 30 Jul 2013 22:03:14 GMT

OK, so I KNOW that I'm supposed to continue to reduce util and NOT app for bigger and better cards.

That being said, I've got the itch and it's getting worse.

Now both Experian and TU are in the high 600's...I'm not ignoring EQ, I just can't see it.

NO inq's (in the last 12 months..) on EX or EQ as of 01 August... 1 on TU.

Utilization is still too high... (48.86 overall) Three cards still maxed out, will be down to one as soon as Capital One updates...then down to zero near the end of August.

My credit union just gave me a ridiculous credit limit increase and, of course, that has me wondering if it's time to apply for bigger and better cards...

Your thoughts?

(Either talk me down, or point me in the right direction, please!)

Re: Getting MORE difficult to sit on my hands...

myjourney — Tue, 30 Jul 2013 22:09:32 GMT

@tcbofade wrote:
OK, so I KNOW that I'm supposed to continue to reduce util and NOT app for bigger and better cards.

That being said, I've got the itch and it's getting worse.

Now both Experian and TU are in the high 600's...I'm not ignoring EQ, I just can't see it.

NO inq's (in the last 12 months..) on EX or EQ as of 01 August... 1 on TU.

Utilization is still too high... (48.86 overall) Three cards still maxed out, will be down to one as soon as Capital One updates...then down to zero near the end of August.

My credit union just gave me a ridiculous credit limit increase and, of course, that has me wondering if it's time to apply for bigger and better cards...

Your thoughts?

(Either talk me down, or point me in the right direction, please!)

Didn't you just get back in the garden?

Lexie has been notified Lol

Re: Getting MORE difficult to sit on my hands...

tcbofade — Tue, 30 Jul 2013 22:12:25 GMT

@myjourney wrote:
@tcbofade wrote:
OK, so I KNOW that I'm supposed to continue to reduce util and NOT app for bigger and better cards.

That being said, I've got the itch and it's getting worse.

Now both Experian and TU are in the high 600's...I'm not ignoring EQ, I just can't see it.

NO inq's (in the last 12 months..) on EX or EQ as of 01 August... 1 on TU.

Utilization is still too high... (48.86 overall) Three cards still maxed out, will be down to one as soon as Capital One updates...then down to zero near the end of August.

My credit union just gave me a ridiculous credit limit increase and, of course, that has me wondering if it's time to apply for bigger and better cards...

Your thoughts?

(Either talk me down, or point me in the right direction, please!)
Didn't you just get back in the garden?
Lexie has been notified Lol

Who, me?

You must have me confused with some one else...

Re: Getting MORE difficult to sit on my hands...

myjourney — Tue, 30 Jul 2013 22:19:40 GMT

Lol last I heard taking the new card for a spin

Re: Getting MORE difficult to sit on my hands...

tcbofade — Tue, 30 Jul 2013 22:28:20 GMT

@myjourney wrote:
Lol last I heard taking the new card for a spin

No, no...you misunderstood...I'm doing my best to leave the new credit limit ALONE!!!

It's the new credit SCORE that I want to take for a spin.

Re: Getting MORE difficult to sit on my hands...

myjourney — Tue, 30 Jul 2013 22:31:34 GMT

@tcbofade wrote:
@myjourney wrote:
Lol last I heard taking the new card for a spin
No, no...you misunderstood...I'm doing my best to leave the new credit limit ALONE!!!

It's the new credit SCORE that I want to take for a spin.

Lol good one

Just wait till Lexie gets here

Re: Getting MORE difficult to sit on my hands...

FinStar — Tue, 30 Jul 2013 22:39:50 GMT

I would say start with this...

Then, start the application right away...

Re: Getting MORE difficult to sit on my hands...

Anonymous — Tue, 30 Jul 2013 23:10:08 GMT

Look at the big picture! If you apply now, you are shortchanging with getting approved for a lower CL than you could of otherwise.

Re: Getting MORE difficult to sit on my hands...

thebanjoman — Tue, 30 Jul 2013 23:41:23 GMT

I may be in the minority here, but I'd say give yourself just one or two applications before the auto refi reports. 12 months from now having the inquiries clustered will be easier for you. Spread them out to 1 EX and 1 EQ, if you can.

However. Do not, at all, be hasty or seek any kind of sign-up bonus that will be counterproductive. Before applying for anything think long and hard about your strategy from here out. If the apps are successful or not, and you're going to sit on your hands for X months either way, what would best serve you as a strategy for that period. If you're trying to pay off cards entirely, look for low APR balance transfer cards that will fit nicely into your strategy or a new signature loan to consolidate away high interest debt. Be selective, and don't depend on the approval. Make it the first, careful step into the new ~12 month plan. Then garden like there's no tomorrow, and stick to your plan.

edit: or do the third option... HP CLI spree. All the satisfaction of approvals... if approved, and none of the new TL pain.

Re: Getting MORE difficult to sit on my hands...

frugalQ — Wed, 31 Jul 2013 00:45:12 GMT

There is nothing wrong with changing plans.

HOWEVER, you should think long and hard about the impact of changing those plans. I completely understand wanting to test the waters, but if apping now is counterproductive to your longer-term goals, I say wait until you have everything in place. If you have 'wiggle room' in your plan and can afford the hard pulls, then go for it.

The itch does not go away with just 1 or 2 apps....it only gets worse.

Good luck!

Re: Getting MORE difficult to sit on my hands...

myjourney — Wed, 31 Jul 2013 00:47:29 GMT

@frugalQ wrote:
There is nothing wrong with changing plans.

HOWEVER, you should think long and hard about the impact of changing those plans. I completely understand wanting to test the waters, but if apping now is counterproductive to your longer-term goals, I say wait until you have everything in place. If you have 'wiggle room' in your plan and can afford the hard pulls, then go for it.

The itch does not go away with just 1 or 2 apps....it only gets worse.

Good luck!

Well said and so true

Re: Getting MORE difficult to sit on my hands...

09Lexie — Wed, 31 Jul 2013 00:57:01 GMT

HOLD UP! I don't think so...util alone will shortchange the awesome approval that's waiting for you. Remember the reasons why you were in the garden. If you honestly feel you've tackled all those reasons then after your cr updates- go for it.

I am the biggest proponent of staying but only if it makes sense - not just to satisfy an itch.

Re: Getting MORE difficult to sit on my hands...

myjourney — Wed, 31 Jul 2013 00:55:58 GMT

Ha Ha I told you she was coming Lol

Now what

Re: Getting MORE difficult to sit on my hands...

Anonymous — Wed, 31 Jul 2013 01:06:25 GMT

Don't do it. They may bring out the taser. It won't be pretty. They make you behave in the garden!

They make you behave in the garden!

Re: Getting MORE difficult to sit on my hands...

09Lexie — Wed, 31 Jul 2013 01:08:45 GMT

Haha! So true!

Re: Getting MORE difficult to sit on my hands...

SnackTrader — Wed, 31 Jul 2013 01:15:53 GMT

All I'm going to say is this:

3 Maxed out cards today. 1 maxed out card in 30 days. 0 maxed out cards in _____

Lets see how that helps your scores.

Re: Getting MORE difficult to sit on my hands...

Anonymous — Wed, 31 Jul 2013 01:16:41 GMT

@frugalQ wrote:
There is nothing wrong with changing plans.

HOWEVER, you should think long and hard about the impact of changing those plans. I completely understand wanting to test the waters, but if apping now is counterproductive to your longer-term goals, I say wait until you have everything in place. If you have 'wiggle room' in your plan and can afford the hard pulls, then go for it.

The itch does not go away with just 1 or 2 apps....it only gets worse.

Good luck!

+1 only gets worse! it's your decision. Good things come to those who WAIT!

Re: Getting MORE difficult to sit on my hands...

tcbofade — Wed, 31 Jul 2013 02:27:52 GMT

@SnackTrader wrote:
All I'm going to say is this:

3 Maxed out cards today. 1 maxed out card in 30 days. 0 maxed out cards in _____

Lets see how that helps your scores.

Thanks all for the input...either I mistyped or you mis read...I've still got three REPORTING maxxed out, but only ONE actually is...so I'll have ONE reporting maxed out in a few days... zero in less than thirty days...

Re: Getting MORE difficult to sit on my hands...

tcbofade — Wed, 31 Jul 2013 02:34:49 GMT

@frugalQ wrote:
There is nothing wrong with changing plans.

HOWEVER, you should think long and hard about the impact of changing those plans. I completely understand wanting to test the waters, but if apping now is counterproductive to your longer-term goals, I say wait until you have everything in place. If you have 'wiggle room' in your plan and can afford the hard pulls, then go for it.

The itch does not go away with just 1 or 2 apps....it only gets worse.

Good luck!

Good point. I hadn't thought of that. Thank you.

Re: Getting MORE difficult to sit on my hands...

frugalQ — Wed, 31 Jul 2013 02:46:46 GMT

You are most welcome!!