Finally got my FICO score!!

[Anonymous]

After 6 months of waiting I finally have it!

Experian 650
Equifax 720
Transunion 639

I guess these scores are soso. Now I hope to improve them. I currently have 3 cards now.

Discover secured 200$ limit I only use around 4$ a month and pay it off right away
Capital one secured 200$ limit same with this card only use around 5$ a month and pay it off.

I also have a self lender loan that I pay 25$ monthly.

I just applied for the Apple Card from a early access email and got approved for 750$

I got overly excited and went to try some more card but got shut down..
Chase - denied
Citibank - denied
Adorama - decision pending

Any advice from here on to help me build my credit more?

[Anonymous]

I'd hit the brakes if I were you and just sit on your accounts for now.  You've already got 3-4 cards and a loan which is more than sufficient for "building" credit.  If you sit on your hands and do nothing for the next year your scores will be higher than if you apply for anything else during that year.  At that point if you go a year without apping and you have 1.5+ years of stellar credit history you'll be able to apply for and get approved for almost anything within reason.  So, my advice is to not apply for anything now just because and wait a year so that you can actually acquire the products you really do want.  That gives you a solid year to research those products too in order to make the most informed decisions.

Regarding your scores, did you get your 3 reports to go along with them?  If so, I'm curious as to why your EQ score is significantly higher than the other two.  What's different on your reports?

[Anonymous]

I have 1 baddie from IC Systems (T-Mobile) on the other 2 credit agencies. For some reason it don’t show up on Equifax. I been trying to dispute it with no luck.

Thanks I’ll hit the brakes and wait and just build it up from there.

[Remedios]

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@Anonymous wrote:
I have 1 baddie from IC Systems (T-Mobile) on the other 2 credit agencies. For some reason it don’t show up on Equifax. I been trying to dispute it with no luck.

Thanks I’ll hit the brakes and wait and just build it up from there.

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Call T-Mobile and ask them to recall collection, then pay T-Mobile directly if they agree. 

[Anonymous]

I never thought of that thanks I will try that.

[Anonymous]

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@Anonymous wrote:
I also have a self lender loan that I pay 25$ monthly.

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When that self lender loan gets down to less than 9% remaining balance (e.g., less than $45 on $500) , you'll see a very nice jump in score - around 30 points or so.

Those points will go away when the loan is closed, but you can use that month to apply for a decent card. This is what I did this past December.

If you don't apply for anything in the next 6 months, I think you'll be happy with your scores at the 1 year mark.

[Anonymous]

Make sure either disco / cap1 actually report a balance each month or you're getting penalized for 0 activity.

Let things age and don't apply for anything else for awhile.  720 isn't bad but, lack of age i.e. just getting a score = 6 months of age // won't get you too far for approvals yet.  Stay away from the store cards as well as they will not only be locked into a single store but, also ding your insurance scores as well.

Focus on QUALITY over quantity while building things up.  Once you're rocking 100K+ and 800's then if you want to pick up a card for 20% off somewhere go for it since you're not working to build a nice profile at that point.

[Anonymous]

@obscure Thanks yeah I’m kicking my self for waiting so many years to get a credit card I’m 34 now lol. Yes I think your right only 6 months of activity is really holding me back. Once I get the letters I’ll post why I was denied.

I use all my cards and I always make sure they post a balance of under 10% usage every month.

Thanks I’ll remember to avoid store cards and just look for a 0% interest real credit card in the future.

[Paj315]

Thanks for sharing your scores. This is interesting to me because I’m also awaiting my scores. I’ve been wondering what cards would be good to apply for after my score pops up. Right now the ones I have are VERY low limits ($200, $300 and $300 and all secured except one)
I got my first credit card in April, so I’m waiting out the six months and I’ve wondered what my scores will be. I have almost exactly the same profile as you. 3 cards (doing AZEO) and a self lender (started in May). My Husband and I did get approved for a vehicle loan last night so that will be added but I *think* I will have scores pop up before that begins to report.
Thanks for sharing!!

[JBJBJB1]

 After you have had your Cap One card for 5 months you can likely upgrade to a non-secured with a higher balance.  Be sure to inquire about that after 5 months have lapsed.  

There is probabaly a way to do that with your discover as well.....