APP trigger happy - help!

[Anonymous]

HELLO ALL ~

This is my first post and super excited & slightly nervous!!

I am currently needing some major help in curving my impulses and STOP looking for things to apply for. 

My story:

Like most people, I made some dumb choices and stupid mistakes in my early 20's. 

For the longest time I knew I had the crappiest credit (ever?)

I didn't bother to apply for anything because I would be embarrassed when I was denied. 

Sometimes, I would have a lapse in judgement and tell the nice little old lady at Macy's - fine, I'll apply for a damn card. DENIED.

Fast forward to mid 30's. Still crappy credit. Have let some things go due to economy but I've tried to maintain my payments and not fall off deep end again. 

I discovered a few years ago the annual credit report. Would dispute some things - then I would become overwhelmed and leave it alone. 

Early this year, after the holidays - here I go, back into Macy's. Again, the little old lady with the suggestion of a card. 

I breathe heavily, tell her that's fine, and wait for my denial. APPROVED for $600? What is this? That NEVER happens! 

I'm on cloud 9. Prior to this, all I had was my secured WF card for $500 for 2 years. 

Fast forward to August 2014, I went on vacation. It was a time share type vacation. I didn't want nor need a timeshare.

After 2 hours of my life - I wanted that timeshare.

They pulled my credit and surprise surprise, I was denied.

Got home and a week later I got the Dear John letter. My credit was 520. Ouch.

I decided then to really do this thing and fix things. 

I pulled one report and began to dispute things that were not correct. 

One month later, went to Best Buy with my kid to purchase a laptop. The nice young kid said to me the magic words: would you like to apply?

Sigh. I told him "let's do it" and told him that I'd be denied. 

I was APPROVED again!! For $1000! 

I felt like I was on top of the world...!

Since then, I have kinda been on a roll applying for cards. 

I applied for Credit One ( I know, I know - I have read all the reviews and specs but really need it ) APPROVED $300

Capital One QuickSilver APPROVED $300

Capital One Plat APPROVED $1000!

I've also applied for more cards than I should have and been DENIED

Discover

Virgin America

Chevron

and two pending: Barclay & Chase

I need to stop and tell myself to let these cards mature but I am having such a hard time. Help?! What can I do to actually go out and enjoy the sun and garden? 

[Anonymous]

Welcome. Look at it this way, if you calm down and let your cards grow then you can get better cards! Do you still have baddies on your report? You have plenty of credit now for rebuilding. It will all be worth it in the end. Good luck.

[Duke84]

Welcome! I would recommend you read up on credit itself. You also should look at your overall financial picture.

I say that to say this: since you've applied for, from the story starting at August 2014, 10 items (the timeshare and 9 accounts), it's already not looking good in the eyes of future lenders. The inquiries alone should stop you from going for anything else at this current time.

You clearly have enough to effectively rebuild. I suggest you learn as much as you can about credit, reading these forums (they are VERY helpful), keep looking at your reports, and look at the bigger picture. Look at the Garden Club thread and the FICO Fitness Challenge thread.

This is a marathon, not a sprint. The sooner you start recognizing it and living it, the better.

Best of luck on your journey!

[Anonymous]

Thanks!!

I do - a couple of collections I am disputing.

DirecTV because of the amount of balance and medical bill that is trying to bill me when I had coverage.

I will take your advice and just enjoy the flowers. Six months - right? 

[Anonymous]

I say that to say this: since you've applied for, from the story starting at August 2014, 10 items (the timeshare and 9 accounts), it's already not looking good in the eyes of future lenders. The inquiries alone should stop you from going for anything else at this current time.

Talk about a slap on the wrist! I SO needed that. Why I didn't sit and look at it that way - beyond me. THANK YOU! 

I will be happy with what I have a nurture those.