Currently have 719 TU, 685 EQ, 728 Ex.
-Discover it with $500 CL.
-8 months of credit history.
-no lates or anything negative currently on the report.
Just received a statement the other day for $125, and currently I have already managed to charge $175 this month. I plan on applying for a new card next month after this statement cuts and reports the change in utilization. Near the end of this month I plan on paying the $125 balance and then turning around and making an additional payment to take out any charging I did this month.
Is it best to leave a $5 balance on the card or is it better to leave a $0(only have 1 line of credit)?
Also just as a rough estimate how much should I expect my score to increase(i'm not thinking all that much, mainly hoping it will help with apps though!)?
If you got a statement for $125, PIF = paying the $125 regardless of what you may have charged over the $125 after you received the statement. If you're trying to play the utilization game, you're at 25% by letting $125 report. Only the statement balance (typically) is reported to the CRA.
@CarnegieS wrote:Currently have 719 TU, 685 EQ, 728 Ex.
-Discover it with $500 CL.
-8 months of credit history.
-no lates or anything negative currently on the report.
Just received a statement the other day for $125, and currently I have already managed to charge $175 this month. I plan on applying for a new card next month after this statement cuts and reports the change in utilization. Near the end of this month I plan on paying the $125 balance and then turning around and making an additional payment to take out any charging I did this month.
Is it best to leave a $5 balance on the card or is it better to leave a $0(only have 1 line of credit)?
Also just as a rough estimate how much should I expect my score to increase(i'm not thinking all that much, mainly hoping it will help with apps though!)?
OP, since this is your only tradeline, I highly recommend not PIF before apping, but instead paying your balance down to $4 or less. Being under 10% utilization looks best!
Best of luck when you app for your next CC 
@daybreakgonesXe wrote:
@CarnegieS wrote:Currently have 719 TU, 685 EQ, 728 Ex.
-Discover it with $500 CL.
-8 months of credit history.
-no lates or anything negative currently on the report.
Just received a statement the other day for $125, and currently I have already managed to charge $175 this month. I plan on applying for a new card next month after this statement cuts and reports the change in utilization. Near the end of this month I plan on paying the $125 balance and then turning around and making an additional payment to take out any charging I did this month.
Is it best to leave a $5 balance on the card or is it better to leave a $0(only have 1 line of credit)?
Also just as a rough estimate how much should I expect my score to increase(i'm not thinking all that much, mainly hoping it will help with apps though!)?
OP, since this is your only tradeline, I highly recommend not PIF before apping, but instead paying your balance down to $4 or less. Being under 10% utilization looks best!
Best of luck when you app for your next CC
This is what I was thinking, but I just wanted to double check! I got denied for a card a few weeks ago (my utilization was at 39% though). Hopefully I have some better luck this time arong. Appreciate your response!