Close and Garden? Or do I app?

[aloush11]

Hello fellow credit enthusiasts!  

It's been a long time since I've been on but I'm glad to be back! 

I had some life events in 2016 that put a financial strain on me and ultimately took my credit along with it. Since then I started working on cleaning things up and have made huge strides. I did file for Chapter 13 BK but voluntarily Dismissed it before it was certified by the Judge. More details below.   I now need some advice on how to proceed with some of the starter cards that I feel like I have outgrown like the Capital One QS/QS1. Should I app for anything else? Start Gardening? I was recently approved using the soft pull with BB&T Visa card @ $4500.

Fico Score 8

Experian - 693 (as of today)

Equifax - 657 (will be higher once Nordstrom shows as paid)

Transunion - 694 (per Denied Apple Card application) 

Public Records:

Bankruptcy Chapter 13 - filed 11/2016 but voluntarily DISMISSED (not discharged) before it was certified in 09/2017. 

Inquires:

Experian - 17 (2 inquires on 5/22 for discover IT and Secured) both denied

Equifax - 6

TransUnion - 10

AAoA:

6.5 Years

Utilization:

6% but can be paid down to zero

Auto Loan:

Ford Credit - opened 07/2019 No lates

Student Loans:

20K in Federal Student Loans - No lates - not being paid yet
Recent Apps:

Apple Card - 5/22 - Recently Late (Nordstroms CO was just paid)

Discover Unsecured - 5/22 - Bankruptcy

Discover Secured - 5/22 - Bankruptcy - Tried to recon but no luck

BB&T Visa - 5/23 - Approved @ 19.24% and $4500 limit. 

Settled Accounts: 

Creditor	Settlement Date
Nordstrom	05/2020
Navy Federal CC	07/2019
Navy Federal CC	07/2019
Navy Federal CC	07/2019
Navy Federal CC	07/2019
Navy Federal LOC	07/2019
Credit First Firestone	07/2019
Best Buy - Citi - PIF	07/2019
Macy's - PIF	07/2019
Capital One	10/2019
Capital One	10/2019
Barclays	10/2019

Here is everything since rebuilding...

Creditor	Opened	Limit	Balance	Status	Type
Target	11/2015	2100	0	Open	Owner
Capital One - QS1	02/2019	750	0	Open	Owner
Capital One - QS	07/2019	500	0	Open	Owner
Capital One - Wal-Mart MC	01/2020	3000	0	Open	Owner
Mission Lane	08/2019	1100	5	Open	Owner
Indigo	4/2019	300	0	Closed	Owner
First Premier	01/2018	1325	0	Closed	Owner
First Premier	04/2019	1000	0	Closed	Owner
Credit One	03/2019	600	0	Closed	Owner
Amazon	04/2020	2100	0	Open	Owner
Sam's Club	04/2020	600	0	Open	Owner
Parkside CU - Visa	09/2019	10K	4500	Open	Owner
Parkside CU - LOC	1/2016	5000	0	Open	Owner
Chase	11/2019	33K	0	Open	Authorized User
Citi	12/2007	28K	0	Open	Authorized User
Amex	01/2014	Open (highest balance 14.5k)	325	Open	Authorized User
BB&T - Visa	5/2020 - Not reporting yet	4500	0	Open	Owner

Thanks and I look forward to your thoughts! 

[Kforce]

Close abd Garden

[AverageJoesCredit]

Id say with a 33k Chase and 28k Citi, you are doing  just fine and can close those cards. If you dont NEED another card, just garden. 

[Citylights18]

It sounds like the OP has been opening a lot of cards for rebuild purposes and to large extent has done that.

You might want to comb through the perks of the cards you already have. If you don't find use for them consider a product change if you've had them over a year. If not consider closing out a couple.

Then try to garden a while. 6 months in the garden should do a lot for your scores. Only add cards which strengthen your earning.

[Citylights18]

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@AverageJoesCredit wrote:

Id say with a 33k Chase and 28k Citi, you are doing  just fine and can close those cards. If you dont NEED another card, just garden. 

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He's only an AU on those.

[aloush11]

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@Citylights18 wrote:

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@AverageJoesCredit wrote:

Id say with a 33k Chase and 28k Citi, you are doing  just fine and can close those cards. If you dont NEED another card, just garden. 

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He's only an AU on those.

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Thanks @AverageJoesCredit 
Yes but I believe those are factored into my Utilization, so I can afford to close other accounts without it impacting my score. 

[aloush11]

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@Citylights18 wrote:

It sounds like the OP has been opening a lot of cards for rebuild purposes and to large extent has done that.

You might want to comb through the perks of the cards you already have. If you don't find use for them consider a product change if you've had them over a year. If not consider closing out a couple.

Then try to garden a while. 6 months in the garden should do a lot for your scores. Only add cards which strengthen your earning.

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Thanks @Citylights18 . 

I tried combining the two Capital One Quick Silver/1 cards but that is still down. I also have been trying to get a CLI on both and they don't seem to budge. I think with the addition of the BB&T Spectrum Visa card that I was just approved for, I should be good on closing out the Capital One QS cards. 

[AverageJoesCredit]

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@Citylights18 wrote:

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@AverageJoesCredit wrote:

Id say with a 33k Chase and 28k Citi, you are doing  just fine and can close those cards. If you dont NEED another card, just garden. 

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He's only an AU on those.

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Oops, didnt see the scrollover on mobile.