How to utilize my credit card as a benefit (monthly)??

[Anonymous]

You should use your credit card(s) and pay your balances in a way that works with your finances. Don't use your card for the sole purpose of getting a higher CL. If you use it responsibly, CLIs will happen. Building a solid credit profile is a marathon not a sprint. Be patient.

Yes, some people use credit card(s) to pay their monthly bills. We use this system in our household. It works for us. You have to determine if it will work for you.

Best of luck!

[jamevfan]

So much good advice, im glad i have you guys to help with me getting familair with my credit, here I am 39 yrs old to come to the realization that this is needed.....Sad but im glad im all over it now. I will take everyones advice as it is all good info and us it to my advantage. I will be more responisble with my credit and usagae but I dont need to add anymore bad habits

Thanks again everyone!

[Cswildfeuer]

i see the "gardening since..." what does that mean exactly?

[jamevfan]

it means that they have been nurturing the credit that they currently have

[Anonymous]

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@jamevfan wrote:

So much good advice, im glad i have you guys to help with me getting familair with my credit, here I am 39 yrs old to come to the realization that this is needed.....Sad but im glad im all over it now. I will take everyones advice as it is all good info and us it to my advantage. I will be more responisble with my credit and usagae but I dont need to add anymore bad habits

Thanks again everyone!

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You're welcome and keep up the good work!

[Anonymous]

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@Cswildfeuer wrote:

i see the "gardening since..." what does that mean exactly?

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It means that I entered the garden on April 22, 2016. There is a monthly thread dedicated to folks, like myself (right now), that are currently refraining from applying for new credit. People garden for different reasons. My current gardening goals are no new credit, increase AAoA, allow inquiries to fall off, and pay down credit card balances.

I am including the May 2016 thread for you. Come in and take a look around. We don't bite. Lol!  

http://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Credit-Cards/Garden-Club-May-2016/td-p/4573075

[Cswildfeuer]

I will right now.i need to do this too

[takeshi74]

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@jamevfan wrote:

I hear the more frequent and the bigger amounts lead to larger CLI faster...is this true

It's a popular meme but usage does not lead to CLI's on its own.  Usage may help to some small degree in some cases but the primary considerations are always credit profile and income.  High usage and a profile/income that do not support a CLI will not lead to a CLI.  Profile/income that supports a CLI can lead to CLI regardless of usage.  Don't rely solely on usage.  Don't rely solely on any one factor.  It is not just the account itself that is considered but your entire credit profile.

Few creditors use the scores in your signature but even so those scores and your $500 limit indicate that there are issues with your credit profile.  Work in identifying and addressing those issues.  Also, don't rely solely on those scores.  Always consider the relevance of any scoring model & CRA combo to a given creditior/product.

[jamevfan]

thanks!