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Is it time yet to apply for better?

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jason0618
Frequent Contributor

Is it time yet to apply for better?

Just trying to see if it's time to apply for better cards and/or car refinance.

Background-- bk7 discharged in July, 2016. Scores were in the low 500s at discharge. Current scores are eq-631, tu 620, ex-629. They are all fico-08 scored from my 3b monitoring.

Current income is about $110,000, been at my job 4 years.

Included in bk a whole lot of medical, as well as some credit cards and car.
Capital one, nfcu, kohls, Walmart, Barclays.

Currently in my wallet--
USAA secured Amex. $0/$500
5/3 bank secured MasterCard $433/$500
Secured discover $0/$200
Kohls $0/$300
Express $0/250
Victoria's Secret $85/$250
Thrifty credit from penfed $0/$500

I use the discover a lot so I will be upgrading my deposit to the full $2500. As it is, I max it and pay it off about twice a week. Currently has about $80 on it. The 5/3 is reporting high now because I wasn't sure when it would report. It's a $0 balance now paid about two days after statement cut. Victoria is stuff my wife bought. It's also currently $0 balance.

Car loan through consumer portfolio on an 08 impala with a 21.7 rate opened day after discharge and I leased a 2017 Traverse yesterday for my wife with her 05 Sienna with a blown transmission traded in as the only down payment and a $345 payment.

With my scores and recent bk, I'm wondering if I should get something better in my rebuild As far as cards or not yet.
Message 1 of 6
5 REPLIES 5
Aduke1122
Senior Contributor

Re: Is it time yet to apply for better?

You can try for an unsecured card but I would make sure to wait until your new balances report as you will more than likely see a bump in scores from paying that one off that was almost maxed out . I know Cap one has been forgiving but I'm not sure how long you have to wait until you can try to get back in with them again. Seems like all the ones I would tell you to apply for were burned in BK .
Message 2 of 6
ScarlettClone
Valued Member

Re: Is it time yet to apply for better?

Read the following forums if you have not already done so, as they have a wealth of information. They will no doubt be useful in making a decision regarding your next steps:

 

http://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Bankruptcy/HOW-TO-From-BK7-discharge-to-700-in-24-months-or-less/td-...

 

http://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Bankruptcy/Bankruptcy-Friendly-Credit-Cards-Pt-2/td-p/3999737

Message 3 of 6
jason0618
Frequent Contributor

Re: Is it time yet to apply for better?

I'm thinking the same. Maybe I should just bump the discover to the maximum $2500 and wait for it to graduate after a year or so. I'm happy with it and the 5% cash back is good too.
Once that graduates, I plan to close the 5/3 and try to get something better from USAA or penfed. My goal is a chase card, mostly because they're my everyday bank and it would just be convenient. With a 3 month old discharge, I already know they'd shut that idea down quicker than I can ask if I have any preapprovals.
Message 4 of 6
AverageJoesCredit
Legendary Contributor

Re: Is it time yet to apply for better?

Discover seems to be graduating people at 7 months now so keep an eye on thatSmiley Happy
Message 5 of 6
jason0618
Frequent Contributor

Re: Is it time yet to apply for better?

That'd be great.
Message 6 of 6
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