Hey everyone! I hope everyone is having a Happy Holiday season so far!
I had been super great with everything this year until October. Utilization was under 5% each month or lower, practiced a lot of AZEO over three cards and scores jumped up to 699, 689 and 708. October came and with it several unexpected things that rolled plus I lost my job after having my hours cut (9 in two weeks...) due to the previously mentioned issue. So paying credit off vs using it got reversed. I have used $3800 of $4000 on Citi, $3400 of $4000 on NFCU and I just paid off Amex, but it shows until next month $700 of $1000 on it. I am passed due for CLI's on everything, but my scores have dropped to 633 per both Amex and Nfcu fico's. I do have a new job, 3 weeks in hence why I could wipe off the one card and keep a little til the next pay check to try avoiding credit, but waiting until spring for another car is not going to happen. Found a used minivan literally across the street from my house I think I can get for $5000. Have zero cash and would need a loan. I have long history with Navy, but worried odds are stacked against me. By end of Feb I should have all CC debt paid off unless something else pops up (seriously hope not), but worry I will lose out on my advantage being end of year and more people after taxes will be out looking for a deal. In addition, I need a car that runs with enough seats to seat ALL family members with seatbelts and mine no longer does that. So, should I do a cli and car loan (same HP?), car loan then cli or just car loan? Do you think they would hear me out on why my utilization is suddenly high with a score drop or it won't matter and count against me? So bummed to be back with "what do I do questions" :-( Especially when in another three months or so it will be a mute point, but this vehicle thing is weighing heavily on me to move. Safety over money. Would love a new mini, but a $35,000 depreciating pull bugs me to much.
Add: 4 HPs not across the board but can't remember who pulled what. 2 nfcu (one 7/15 and the other 5/17, so two years apart and the other two in 5/17 for amex and citi. Nothing else)