@PrinceCorwin wrote:
Thanks to all the fatherly replies about concentrating on finding a new job first but I thought this forum was about credit decisions and that's what my question was targeting. You assume too much by assuming I'm not focusing on a new job and actually sound a bit condescending. I started this thread while sitting in the HR waiting room of a Houston refinery with about 20 other guys waiting for our names to be called to review our apps. And that's less than 48 hours after I was laid off.
So if you can't focus on my question and feel the need to make snide, non credit-related comments and under the radar attacks on my character, don't bother. When it comes to my career in the fabrication /construction industry and providing for my family, I don't need your advice. I have it covered. I need you for credit advice.
For those that have or will comment on my specific question without character judgment... Thank you. People like you have been a great help to me in establishing a decent credit profile.
Sorry to hear about the lay off. Glad to hear that you may have a replacement job soon. My first question was going to be if this is a seasonal lay off, as my company has to lay everyone off during the winter, but we are in the system and will come back (and some work part time while collecting and reporting the work). So in that case, I'd say you can apply and say you work for the same company.
But since that is not the case, don't get any new cards. The reason why is all apps ask for your employer. Right now, the answer is unemployed. And most creditors like to see stable work (been with the same company for 2 or so years). People aren't trying to judge you, but rather help you because of this fact. I hope that things work out for the best.
I don't know your circumstances, but if you need or want extra cash, see if you can cut, or downgrade some services (cable, cell phone, internet, home phone, etc). I have helped my family by switching from AT&T to TMobile (we get better service than we had, though I expected about the same) and saving $60 per month and another $55 by bringing the cable bill down by cutting to the basic subscription Dish Network provides (my parents refused to cut it completely and just get Netflix or Hulu). And I've talked with our internet provider to get them to keep the same rate for the next year until our contract is up, saving another $50 or so. Perhaps some of these options are available to you and your family. I don't write this to judge, but to offer some practical suggestions that may be better for the long term.
