I am also avoiding asking for CLIs, as right now that is asking for trouble. 
My Amex just had a birthday, as did my Chase. But I am leaving them exactly where they are as regards CL!!
haulingthescoreup wrote:
I think my first clue was when I couldn't find anything exciting!
Exactly!
However dropping my mtg rate by 1.5% seems worth it to do the Streamline refi, but other than that I'm not seeing anything that tickles my credit fancy.
Of course, I've had an eventful 4 months or so -- CLIs from Old Navy, Discover, Cap1, opened an Amex Green and the Ikea card. (What was I thinking?)
For '09 I'm just planning on FUTR. The ONLY thing I'd put on my wish list is a Citi product. That's going to have to wait until my reports look decent again.
I'm in! I started rebuilding in Feb '08 with low 500 scores, a BK in 2000, three collections and a 52K tax lien. In '08 I opened Credit One ($250 limit, used 3mo, now paid & closed), then HSBC ($500, used 5mo, paid & closed), Zales ($2500 limit, $1000 PIF x 5 mo, zero bal). That qualified me for a new car via Toyota Financial (paid ahead 2 months). Then a $2,400 Best Buy / HSBC (PIF in 3mo). All that got me a $700 Juniper which is nearly maxed and PIF twice a month. I just got a $1,000 Cap One rewards card which will PIF each month and opened an $1800 Kay's card for a Leo diamond necklace for the sig other for Xmas. All in all, 12 inquiries in 2008. My FICO report kept saying "not enough open credit" and "too many recent inquiries". How to improve the former without increasing the latter? Anyways, EQ FICO at 691 and I'm not applying for NUTTIN', no way, no how, during 2009. Like the little choo choo said... "I think I can... I THINK I can... I THINK I CAN!". 
Cold turkey tastes GOOD.
Cold turkey tastes GOOD.
We'll be checking in about a month after we close. If all works out, our last app for the year will be either Lowes or Home Depot (DH has some remodeling in mind for the new house).
After about a year or so of NO apping, we plan on getting me my "Holy Grail" -- The Quilter's Rewards card from Junny. Not big shakes to you guys, I know. But considering how much I spend on fabric and quilty goodies, those rewards will work better for us than our Cap One rewards cards!!
Oh and this is probably OT with this thread, but a while back I posted a thread on getting DH qual'ed for the new Government Travel Charge Card (now serviced by CitiBank). He's always had the "Restricted" card (low, low, low CL - $4K, which barely covered his plane tickets). I was panicking!! Citi has MUCH higher standards in allowing an Unrestricted card than BoA (the old servicer) did!!
But we found out, he's gotten the "Unrestricted" card and has a $7500 CL (standard for the DoD GTCC). They didn't hard him for it, they just softed him (dunno why).
All thanks to you guys!!! YAY for you guys!!! Hubby REALLY thanks you, too!!
After about a year or so of NO apping, we plan on getting me my "Holy Grail" -- The Quilter's Rewards card from Junny. Not big shakes to you guys, I know. But considering how much I spend on fabric and quilty goodies, those rewards will work better for us than our Cap One rewards cards!!
Oh and this is probably OT with this thread, but a while back I posted a thread on getting DH qual'ed for the new Government Travel Charge Card (now serviced by CitiBank). He's always had the "Restricted" card (low, low, low CL - $4K, which barely covered his plane tickets). I was panicking!! Citi has MUCH higher standards in allowing an Unrestricted card than BoA (the old servicer) did!!
But we found out, he's gotten the "Unrestricted" card and has a $7500 CL (standard for the DoD GTCC). They didn't hard him for it, they just softed him (dunno why).
All thanks to you guys!!! YAY for you guys!!! Hubby REALLY thanks you, too!!
I'm in!
No new apps/inqs until autumn of 2010 when I go for PenFed a second time. Hopefully my car will live that long, so I can get financing with the same app if needed (hoping to save enough to pay cash). 
Will not say no to hard-pull-free or auto CLIs, though. (of course!)
(edited to change 2010 apping "season")
WhirledPeasPlease wrote:
For '09 I'm just planning on FUTR. The ONLY thing I'd put on my wish list is a Citi product. That's going to have to wait until my reports look decent again.
Alrighty, I'm out. (Gee, that was fast.) For the past few days I've been staring at the USBank pre-approval I got in the mail. After working on my 2009 budget and taking into consideration my goals, I realized I'm going to get killed in interest before I get this stuff paid off. I also looked around to see who they pull in IN and it looks like TU -- my highest by 40 points. Sure enough, they pulled TU. (WHEW!)
So, I now have a BT card (5.99% until 2013 and 0% purchase APR for 12 months).
"Thank you for choosing US BANK for your financial needs. Your U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card will be mailed to you via the U.S. Postal Service within the next 7-10 business days. Your card has a credit limit of $3,000.00. Your variable rate is Prime + 7.90%. The current APR is 12.40%. Your purchases can be signed by PEAS."
While I'm happy it wasn't a denial, 3k is a little small. But hey, any help w/ UTIL is groovy.
Now, let's just hope I stay off the fecal charts of my other banking institutions.
(Let the flogging begin! lol)
ocheosa wrote:
@WhirledPeasPlease wrote:While I'm happy it wasn't a denial, 3k is a little small. But hey, any help w/ UTIL is groovy.Now, let's just hope I stay off the fecal charts of my other banking institutions.(Let the flogging begin! lol)
Congratulations!!! US Bank is wonderful!! Don't worry about the initial CL, it will GROW with you!
BTW, I hit the JCP luv button yesterday and got zero..... I now humbly swear to not go near a luv button, an automated line, a credit analyst for at least the next year.....GEEZ, just a little self control PLEASE!!! .....
Thanks, I needed to hear that -- especially the 'grow' part!
Sorry about JCP. GEMB is baffling, to say the least. Good luck w/ the self control! You can do it!
I'm hoping to check myself back into to the 'center' first thing tomorrow!
