Hey everyone! Been stalking these posts for a while now- all the info has been REALLY helpful when it comes to re-building and establishing my credit. I messed up pretty bad in college and have been working to rebuild ever since.
I was recently approved for a Cap1 Secured Card ($500 CL) and a Cap1 QS1 ($500 CL) on 4/1/15 with 1 Collection acct from 2009 for an apartment that I moved out of my freshman year of college (unpaid $1,000 waiting for it to fall off), 1 Collection from a utility bill (2013) my roommates screwed me but I'm currently paying off, and 1 Medical Bill because my insurance never paid it (trying to dispute it) along with 1 charge off from Chase from a credit card I evidently had when I was 18(2007)- I had no knowledge of this until I pulled my credit report. The balance is $0 -I'm assuming my mom opened something in my name? No idea. Anyway, total collections less than $2,000. I have Student Loans that only have 1 or 2 late payments from a year ago.
All of my scores are just under 600- this is coming from like BARELY 500's so I'm definitely making progress finally! I make pretty good money ($50K year) But I'm in the process of finishing my bachelor's at Penn State Online and I need some extra credit to help with costs. I guess my question is- should I apply for another Cap1 card? I spoke to the EO and they couldn't give me a CLI yet even though I've been at 60-70% uti on both cards and paying the balances off multiple times a month. They suggested that I apply for another credit card. Should I pay the balances before I apply? or should I even apply? If I were to apply, I'd probably want another QS1 for the rewards- is that even possible? I should probably just wait until my credit gets a little better so I can get a decent limit- right? Any advice would be helpful!
