Thanks for all the help....

[Anonymous]

I've been lurking here for about two years and I really appreciate reading helpful suggestions by everyone. Up until a few years ago, I'd never had a credit card except for one I had way back in college, which was ages ago. I wanted to buy a new car, and even though I was approved, I got a pretty crummy interest rate. The reason? No history and a single baddie from an old phone bill. So I started like a lot of you, with a Cap1 card, the another Cap1 Rewards card about a year later and this past weekend I was approved for a Discover More. I still need to sign up with a monitoring service or at least somewhere I can keep pulling my score. Last I check I was hovering near 700. So once again, thanks to all of you. For the rest of you just getting started, just know you can do it with patience and persistence. And follow the guidelines people talk about here: Utilization, pay your bills on time, etc. Heat

[SpiceIslander]

Congratulations!!!! These boards have also provided me with lots of help. The posters offer great advice.

[injustifiiable]

I wish this board was around 10 years ago...I'd certainly be in better shape than I'm in now.

[Anonymous]

Congrats OP

These boards have been a life saver for me as well. I don't know how I ever could have conquered the credit world without these boards.

As far as your interest rate, see if you can join a credit union and see about refinancing your auto loan. I've seen people get refinanced after making one payment on their loan. Others might chime in and say pay for 6months, or a year to build history then refinance. Either way, if your scores are hovering around 700 there's no reason to pay a high interest rate.

Good Luck and as always Happy Crediting :-)

[Anonymous]

I got it reduced about a year after I first financed it through the CU my company uses. I've got three cards now, so I'll probably hold off for a while before trying for another prime card. Thanks again for all the encouragement and replies!

[Anonymous]

I really wish these boards would have been around back in 2007 when I screwed my credit up. Great advice here.

[LS2982]

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@Anonymous wrote:

I really wish these boards would have been around back in 2007 when I screwed my credit up. Great advice here.

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I agree, 10 years ago I'd be a stud on paper right now!