Another Joint Card?

[Anonymous]

My husband and I have one joint card together and I have no cards in my name only. My husband has two in his name. Amex and the one we have together. I tend to use my debit cards a lot or cash (which is the same nearly). I don't like carrying high card balances at all and use credit wisely. However, I've been wanting to have a card in my name alone again. I used to have two in my name alone (Amex and a Discover since way back in college) I have since closed those two cards since I became a stay-at-home mother 5 years ago (both cards were in excellent standing-PIF--No lates-- and the Amex still shows on my reports..I know they will drop off after 10 years but right now they are making my credit length history look great! If I'd only known about NOT closing cards when I closed them...lol). Anyway, my husband says that I don't need a card in my own name and that joint cards are just like having a card in my own name anyway. He says that if I really want another card for FICO building only that we can get a card through one of our banks jointly again. I guess I just feel like I want a card in my name alone. Does that make sense? My husband is wonderful and he understands my wanting to up my scores and wants to help me to do so. His are in the mid to upper 700 range. Mine are the mid 600 range right now (668 EQ, 652 EX, 652 TU). I don't have any baddies on my report except for one that is medical and PIF (I've sent a goodwill letter for that one and hoping they remove it from my report) so hopefully that will up my score a little as well. Is it best to get the joint card. Since I am a stay-at-home mother I don't have 'any income' so to speak. (I have investments and we do have a couple of rental properties that I get 'paid' from). Could I apply for a card on my own without an 'income'? or would I just put our household income when I apply? Or again, should I just go ahead and get the joint card with my husband again? That would be two cards and should help my scores. TIA! This board is wonderful.

[MidnightVoice]

Speaking as one of the male gender and married, get a card in your own name. 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for your response midnight . I would have thought my husband would have wanted me to get a card in my own name alone as well but he just keeps saying that I don't need one every time I mention it. I have no idea why. He's not controlling or anything of the sort. In fact I'm very independent and he appreciates that but since becoming a SAHM I just feel so 'dependent' even though I'm not really...LOL. I guess I just really want to know if I can get a card on my own by only reporting household income since I am not generating a salary really. Do SAHM's have cards of their own..in their own names? or do all have joint accounts? I've always wondered this. Thanks again!

[MidnightVoice]

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indyfree wrote:
Thanks for your response midnight . I would have thought my husband would have wanted me to get a card in my own name alone as well but he just keeps saying that I don't need one every time I mention it. I have no idea why. He's not controlling or anything of the sort. In fact I'm very independent and he appreciates that but since becoming a SAHM I just feel so 'dependent' even though I'm not really...LOL. I guess I just really want to know if I can get a card on my own by only reporting household income since I am not generating a salary really. Do SAHM's have cards of their own..in their own names? or do all have joint accounts? I've always wondered this. Thanks again!

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Personally I think you can apply in your own name and report your household income.

I would encourage you to get one of your own.  My DW has a couple on our HH income

[Anonymous]

Nothing against your husband, I am sure he is wonderful...but get your own....

[MidnightVoice]

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ObsessedwithmyFico wrote:

Nothing against your husband, I am sure he is wonderful...but get your own....

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She already has her own husband.... 

[Anonymous]

lol....funny....You know what I mean...Get your own card!!!

[MidnightVoice]

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ObsessedwithmyFico wrote:

lol....funny....You know what I mean...Get your own card!!!

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I know that you know that I know, but I couldn't resist the injection of a little humor.

And to the OP - we agree - get your own card!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Anonymous]

Thanks! I'm going to get my own. Thanks for the humor as well .