Hi there OP,
I have created your own thread on this as the one you posted in was over a year old. I left everything intact and you can edit if you wish.
I have created your own thread on this as the one you posted in was over a year old. I left everything intact and you can edit if you wish.
You don't have to worry about being turned down, your scores are good enough for most any card.
You DO want to research the credit cards first to see what is a good fit for you.
You also need to use it periodically to keep it active, like once ev 1-3 months for regular visa/mc/amex/disco. Store cards use them once ev 6m-1y. Otherwise they will close for non use.
You may enjoy managing tons of cards or prefer just 2 or 3, it's up to you. You can amass a huge amount of credit in a year or two.
Many card issues have a form online to prequalify for their cards. That will tell you if you have any credit card offers from them. Or you can opt in to receive mail offers.
@cambaird wrote:Hi!
May I ask a question. I see that line of cards at the bottom of your postings. Are you saying those are your present cards and collectively you have a credit limit of approximately $387K in total?!!!
I had a bad hair day years ago (they called it a heart attack but what the hell do THEY know) and when I awoke I had a $300,000 bill stapled to my chest. I was encouraged to file bankruptcy and did .....reluctantly. It was the worst experience of my life and I swore off credit. Im 65 this year and I own two homes a two cars a boat and a bloodhound. I owe nothing to anyone. I found out last year that I not only was a bad risk for credit but I had NO credit history. Essentially a phantom. I was in the 500's with little or nothing
showing.
I began reading voraciously on sites like this and others and at this point I can see the finish line. My TU is 772 EX 758 and EQ is 651. As you can see EQ is the last holdout still showing a disputed collection. I expect it to be removed in a month or two. I have a WF card with a CL $1300 and a JCPenney card with a CL $800 I have a zero balance on both.
I am REALLY gun shy when it comes to applying for credit. The thought of being turned down sets me ablaze. My problem seems to have stemmed from paying cash for everything. I own about 750K in housing free & clear but it does nothing for me apparently. Same with my cars and boat. The bloodhound is a liability. When I see a line of credit cards like you apparently have I am befuddled at how you did that. All at once? One per year starting when you were 16? How the hell did you do that? I am reluctant to apply for anything until I know that my EQ score is the same or close to the other two! Am I correct for waiting or are there cards out there that dont pull EQ? I have been told that some cards will tell you beforehand if your approved with your present scores. Is that true and who has a list of those cards?
The truth is I dont need credit cards, but I feel like I'm one step away from peril without the benefit of a decent approved credit line. How the hell do you carry that many cards with you?
I could learn from you and I would appreciate any help your willing to give.
1. To answer your question, since I fall into the same category as whoever your OP was addressed to, 4 1/2 years ago I had no cards. Then I got 2 credit cards. Then a couple of years later I started adding cards. I actually did it based on a misconception, that having a lot of cards would help my credit score, which I have since learned is not the case.... having 3 to 5 cards is just as good as 25 cards.
2. I feel the same way about credit you do, I like it to be there in case of an emergency. For that reason a great card for cash advances, like the Barclay Ring card, is much more valuable to me than cards that are for purchases.
3. I just discovered, and really like, personal lines of credit, because those fit in better than credit cards with my wish to have credit to fall back on when cash is needed.
4. You could pick up your credit scores several ways, the easiest of which would be this one: Join Alliant Credit Union, take out a $500+ savings account, take out a $500 share secured loan secured by the savings account with a 48 or 60 month term, decline or cancel autopay, transfer $455 from the savings account towards the loan balance bringing the balance down to $45. Pay that off slowly over the balance of the term. Once that reports the positive effects will be felt. There's no hard pull, the interest is virtually nonexistent, and you're in debt only to the tune of $45.
navy pulled EQ on mine.. 618 credit score, one year BK7 .. $5000
Starting Score: MYFICO 12/30/15 -TU: 481, EQ:561, EX:532 - BK7 DISCHARGED 12/2015 - Current: 09/01/2016 TU:642 EQ: 651 EX: 646
I enjoyed reading your post! 
You have the scores to get a card. Like someone else said, a lot of the majors will tell if you qualify (Chase, Citi, Capital One). I also like the suggestion to join a credit union and apply for a line of credit and credit card in one go.
Same as triton. I was in the 620-630s and was approved instantly for the 15K. I still have no idea what their criteria is.
