Hey everyone, I recently applied for two credit cards (Cap one and BOA) and got approved for the student card versions for college, since I'm only 18 and going to start my freshman year this August.
I just need some good advice from you guys. I'm wondering how should I pay my statements every month for example, my BOA due date is Sep. 2nd how should I pay that 5 days before the due date or 10 days? From what I heard from everyone is to pay it 10 days before the due date, is that true?
Everyone also is saying I should keep my utilization below 30% and I've been doing that lately, or should I keep it lower?
Is it better to keep a balance or pay it full every month?
if you guys have more advice to give me, express yourself 
Welcome! 
New to credit myself and would like to see a few answers from the more experienced members. Congrats on your cards!
@Anonymous wrote:Hey everyone, I recently applied for two credit cards (Cap one and BOA) and got approved for the student card versions for college, since I'm only 18 and going to start my freshman year this August.
I just need some good advice from you guys. I'm wondering how should I pay my statements every month for example, my BOA due date is Sep. 2nd how should I pay that 5 days before the due date or 10 days? From what I heard from everyone is to pay it 10 days before the due date, is that true?
Everyone also is saying I should keep my utilization below 30% and I've been doing that lately, or should I keep it lower?
Is it better to keep a balance or pay it full every month?
if you guys have more advice to give me, express yourself
Here's what I suggest:
1. Try to keep utilization as low as possible. Lower the better.
2. Never exceed your credit limit.
3. You can pay full in month (statement balance).
4. Never be late in payment of anything (that includes rent, cable bill, etc.)
5. Don't apply too many cards in short span.
@Anonymous wrote:Hey everyone, I recently applied for two credit cards (Cap one and BOA) and got approved for the student card versions for college, since I'm only 18 and going to start my freshman year this August.
I just need some good advice from you guys. I'm wondering how should I pay my statements every month for example, my BOA due date is Sep. 2nd how should I pay that 5 days before the due date or 10 days? From what I heard from everyone is to pay it 10 days before the due date, is that true?
Everyone also is saying I should keep my utilization below 30% and I've been doing that lately, or should I keep it lower?
Is it better to keep a balance or pay it full every month?
if you guys have more advice to give me, express yourself
typically I pay through The Credit cards website be it Citi, Amex, Discover or Chase. Payments usually post onto my account the next day as long as you do it before 5PM eastern at least. Amex Does it 8PM but at some other time zone that i forgot. Citi and Discover will do it same day if you do it before 5PM and Chase will do it before 8PM
Personally Just make sure it is mostly ( or All) depending on which you want to post a balance) paid off before the 2nd for your BoA card. You want one card to post a balance between 1 and 9%.
Unless your looking to apply for another Credit card, or a Loan like for a car or a mortgage keeping it under 30% is fine. You want to keep it below 10% optimally but under 30% is fine. Unless you have 0% APR intro promos I would just PIF. Even with a 0% APR I would still make sure it is below 30% util% because I had my Discover post a Maxed out card which i was planning to pay off over 50% but I did the purchase to close to my statement cut and it posted and shot down my Credit Score by a good 50
@Anonymous wrote:Hey everyone, I recently applied for two credit cards (Cap one and BOA) and got approved for the student card versions for college, since I'm only 18 and going to start my freshman year this August.
I just need some good advice from you guys. I'm wondering how should I pay my statements every month for example, my BOA due date is Sep. 2nd how should I pay that 5 days before the due date or 10 days? From what I heard from everyone is to pay it 10 days before the due date, is that true?
Everyone also is saying I should keep my utilization below 30% and I've been doing that lately, or should I keep it lower?
Is it better to keep a balance or pay it full every month?
if you guys have more advice to give me, express yourself
Welcome to the forums I always pay mine about 5 days before the due date. Try to keep you bal under 9 % util. Also to avoid insterest always PIF after the statement cuts. Since you only have 2 cards let 1 carry a small bal this month and the other next month.
@Anonymous wrote:Thanks for the advice guys, I heard its better paying in full than carrying a balance though? My total credit limit is $1000 (cap one $300 and BOA $700) so 30% on both so $90 on cap one which I'm doing atm and I'm at $45 bucks so far I feel like I'm not making a good start for cap one lol. BOA is $210 it's at 15 bucks atm also because of groceries I hope I maintain a good credit start.
Carrying A blance means little ... Just make sure you pay more then Min and it doesn't make the Card maxed out and below 30% util