How to get more categories of credit

[woozy]

Thanks to you guys, I got 2 bank cards, $2000 & $4000, after a long stretch on the credit desert.

My car is paid for, so I don't need an installment. Don't want a mortgage right now. Etc.

Are there any tricks to better fill out my credit categories?

[bakalao2k]

You should look into geting a store card like Macys or Best Buy.  What are your FICO scores?

[woozy]

I was in the 730's until I took the hard hits for getting the new cards. The decent score was due to old/paid and closed credit lines still showing.

I app'ed for 4, denied Nordstrom Bank and Discover, ok'ed for Kroger 1-2-3 and HSBC.

I just don't spend much on *stuff* these days. Will a Target or a store card with more of a general purpose do the trick?

[haulingthescoreup]

There's an ongoing debate whether adding a store card (no Visa or MC, etc logo) helps more than a bank card.

However, the scoring formula does seem to "like" having three open revolving tradelines, i.e. CC's.

My advice would be to sit back and wait until you stumble across something that is perfect for your own situation, whether it's rewards, or CL, or APR, or whatever. If no particular card is calling your name right now, I'd just hold off until one does.

[woozy]

Hmmmm. On what line do gas cards report?

And yeah, I'm trying too hard. I need to forget about it for now.

I'm thinking that in a few years, I might want to get a construction-to-mortgage loan (difficult to get).

That's my primary motive for trying to not have 0 0 0 on those other 3 lines.