640 fico. What card?

[Anonymous]

Yeah I’m just chillin out for now. Paid down my utilization and letting time go by. In a few months I’ll go for another card.

[Anonymous]

You might want to open an Fingerhut account. Reason I say that is you'll be instantly approved likely with a higher starting limit than you already have, and ive seen people get upgraded to over $1.5K within their first year. Plus they don't have requirements to make you spend on the card or any fees. It's kinda like why not? Plus you can order Omaha steaks on there ;-) anyway, if your going to wait and want to add a higher line that would be a quick way to do it.

In terms of a major card, I'd go with whichever bank you use or you could could try the Ally Bank credit card. They might approve, but I don't know given your file. (Some other people might have thoughts on that one)...

[Anonymous]

I'm really glad that you posted this, I recently have bumped my credit from 498 to 645 in a two month window. But the gardening is the hardest part which I am starting right now.  I have 3 secured cards, Discover (1300), Citi (1500), Merrick (1250) and Cap one QS (300) Unsecured, I applied for the AMEX everyday yesterday but was denied so I called the recon line and now I wait.  I do not have any store cards - should I skip those?  

[HeavenOhio]

Welcome, @Anonymous.

It's generally best to skip store cards unless you shop at a particular store often and the card offers a great rewards program. Let your current cards grow for a few months. In the meantime, peruse the forum, learn what you can, and don't be afraid to ask questions.

[Anonymous]

Thank you @HeavenOhio, that is extacly what I will do for now.  This fourm has helped me gain some insight already on how to really take care of credit.  Thank you! 

[Anonymous]

I've been tempted with opening up a FingerHut account but looking at their prices for the things I'd like I'm better off paying with my debit card.  They are $100-200 more than what you'd pay for the same thing at Walmart or Target. 

[Anonymous]

But Omaha Steaks!

[Anonymous]

Take a few hundred and get a secured discover card. Once you have good enough credit you'll get upgraded to unsecured. Discover is my favorite card when the 5% is on something good. In that range you're mostly only getting small synchrony cards. My synchrony amazon is finally up to $6k and I love amazon so thats one store card I don't mind. I've used some of the financing offers but paid them off pretty early. You really  have to watch those store card financing offers.

[Anonymous]

Fingerhut its true most everything is far higher. Unless it is sale items. I did as someone suggessted and got their card, now have a $1300 limit on it. My score in a mtter of two months has gone from 550-640 . Unfortunately the bad on my report is medical collections. ALL accounts perfect paid history, car loan included. I am trying to get higher so waiting until my score climbs. I definitely want AMEX, I have read tho your score needs to be in the 700 to ge tthe best reward cards. This forum is awesome and I appreciate all I have learned from here

[Anonymous]

One thing to keep in mind is that as your needs and profile changes over the years, you will likely apply for better cards with lower interest rates, better rewards and higher limits.

You’d want to keep old cards open for as long as you can for the benefit of age on your reports - but if they have annual fees or other hoops to jump through, you will still have to pay to keep that card open even though you don’t use it any more.

So, look for starter cards that can either grow into a good keeper card later, or no annual fee if you end up keeping them in the sock drawer.

Discover has been a good springboard for me so far - it started as a secured card.

Happy card huntin’!