My calcuations net 5.13 years. ... View more

Pez is referring to Trade Lines.   If you have only three credit cards, and nothing else, the strategy would be: charge on each card PIF on two of the cards before the statement cuts Let a "small" amount (1-4%) report on the one card Pay off the reporting card when the statement hits This strategy is an outstanding way to master your utilization.   Charging on each card regularly can also help to get line increases when requested. ... View more

Wmarat---thank you for the input re: Addison.  I would not have thought to check with them.   My First Command and Simmons First cards have set the stage to up their rates, and although I don't carry balances, I needed to add a low rate card in case of emergency.   I applied with Addison yesterday and was approved today for their card---thanks again.   This finishes my successful 2009 spree and I plan to sit tight and credit garden for the next two years before home purchase.   I could not have done so well without the great advice here---thanks again. ... View more

Credit and Hauling's advice is right on.   Patience is such a huge key.  I have been learning from the forum for several months now.  I took the good advice (mostly HTSU's) and made the smart additions to my credit portfolio.  Now the waiting begins.......many call it credit gardening---taking a breath and letting your good work add points to your score each month, over the next several years.   It's hard, but after making the necessary (and smart) additions and deletions, patience will reign successful for you. ... View more

HTSU, as usual is right on.   Following the good advice here, espeically advice regarding being patience, is the most prudent way to proceed.   I received back-to-back notices from my two top low-interest companies (First Command--4.25% and Simmons--7.25%) that they are raising their rates or going variable--both situations that will make them far less appealing now.   Following haulings advice, though, I am patient and will let the storms pass.  It is best to think seriously about adopting that perspective.   Good luck. ... View more

Scarlet------I would recommend getting your EQ and TU reports from this site (using the available discounts from Google) and then check the Credit 101 and similar threads already posted on the forum to answer a number of questions that you have.   Specifically regarding your cards, it is usually recommended that you get your new cards, then close your unwanted cards---if you must.  Monthly maintenance fees are most likely not helping you.  Better to see what you can get elsewhere and prune your credit portfolio.   There are a lot of great threads on this----please peruse the Credit Card forum and key in on the searches for what you are looking for. ... View more

Welcome to the forum, Tracy.   Many have posted that US Bank likes to be your first big bank card.  I would advise checking whogavemecredit.com to see how your basic scores/income would stack up.  From experience, their main two criteria are a good score and great payment history.   You will also need to check your report to ensure that it's in good shape and look into any relationships that you have or may have had with major banks before.   Others will chime in on their particular experiences, but checking a number of the great threads here should give you some insight.   It is good to have at least one major card----good luck! ... View more

MM----congratulations!   To keep your score high--and raise it somewhat--you may indeed want to have one of your cards report a small (1%) balance.  There are many threads here to explain the details.   But as others have said, the main thing is that you are debt-free.  Well done. ... View more

tx----great analysis.  I've spoken to the CUs that I belong to and they do not plan on making changes so far.   Which credit unions do you recommend past PendFed and NFCU? ... View more

Hauling----thanks---that explains some of the cryptic comments I've recieved on a 791 TU and 783 EQ.  Makes sense now---thanks. ... View more

Doctor----congratulations on the card.   Credit Unions can vary when they report.  Mine report at the end-of-month.   If our cu does report at the end-of-month, and if you don't mind the amount charged to report, don't worry about stopping charging.  If you don't want the amount to report, stop charging around the 20th, and transfer the total due several days before the statement cuts. ... View more

Credit---thank you for the detailed information.  Since I've only been with PenFed for a couple of months, I probably won't see that for a while--but will be ready when it happens.   Hauling--thanks for your input, too.  I agree that Citi can be a challenge, but they just raised my cl $1,550.00 two days ago--you are right--there will be two (or more) sides to every post...   On another note, thanks for the numerous informational posts and advice on store cards.  I did not have one in my portfolio, but added an Amazon.com today after reading some of your current inputs.   Thanks to you and all of the others who do their best to post information and inspiration (and cautions) to us all! ... View more

Good and sound analysis and advice.   Where are the pre-approved offers located on the site?   Thanks. ... View more

Unfortunate luck, but the advice seems to be sound. ... View more

I would clarify the AU responsibility issue.  Joint account owners are definitely responsible, but I would doubt AU's would be-----others posters to this thread can clarify. ... View more

Welcome to the forum, Ratt.   You should consider being removed.  The high utilization on her card will cause a significant point drop.  The downfall, though, is that you would only have your one $250 cl card.  If your mother will be paying her card down very soon, that would be best for you.   Other posters should be able to give you more information, too. ... View more

To improve your scores, it may be wise to use some of the cash in the bank to pay down the loans.  Other posters have recommended 50% or less balance remaining as helping their scores.  Please check other threads for more clarity, though. ... View more

Doc-----if you have only one account--and nothing else currently reporting, it would be wise to let that card report a balance.   The goal would be to have 1% - 4% of the credit limit reporting.  If you have more charges that that, send a payment before the statement cut off date (5 days or so) to bring the reported (statement cut date or end of month) to the preferred %.   Good luck with your new card! ... View more

Blue----sorry to read this.  If you pull your credit scores/reports, you will see the account and whether it's classified as a joint account.  Others have discovered that they have been put on accounts (without even signing papers)---so don't trust until you know for sure.   Follow the advice given on the above posts, and read the other threads about building credit and follow that good advice, too. ... View more

Good concerns.  I requested a credit line increase similar to your request and they approved it very quickly.  I did it over the phone and said that the reason was that I wanted to not exceed 20% of my credit line (since I charge 1,500--2,000 per month).   I hope that yours is successful, too. ... View more

Many experienced posters on the forum would recommend paying in full to avoid interest.  Also recommended is to PIF on all cards except one--five + days before the statement cuts and allow the other card to show a small balance due.  That card should be PIF off of the statement before the due date.  This would ensure the best possible FICO score, if that is of interest to you.   Your credit limits look to be low enough not to attact CLD interest from the CCCs. ... View more

Hauling, some of the answers are actually in The Story of Stuff.  Google it and you'll be led to a video put together that, in my opinion, accurately describes how modern consumerism came to be.   I very much agree with your comments---and questions. ... View more

A lot of excellent posts in this thread, but one missing contribution:   The OP has not been back.  It would be interesting to get TopHat's take on the great posts.   That being said, the perception issues that have been brought up (i.e., seeing oneself as upper/middle class, etc.) are right on. ... View more

When mine comes off it's 12 month 0% next March, it will be 8.24%.  Congrats on the great rate! ... View more

I agree that the scores can be a little weird, too.  I rebalanced my credit portfolio, adding 7 new card accounts in less than 3 months, with the requisite amount of inquiries spread over the three agencies.  I was expecting some kind of ding, but all scores increase 10-15 points.   Keep in mind that if you're doing the right strategies, you will be fine over time.  This forum will help to inspire you. ... View more

I am new to the proper % to show reporting.  Many of the experienced posters here recommend 1-4%.  Others have reported dings on their scores for having 0 credit cards reporting a balance.  If you have other tls reporting, you may need to consider that.  Otherwise, if you pay all but about 1-4% of your charges ahead of you statement cut date, and your card reports on that date, you should be fine.  Just remember to pay the rest of the balance before the payment due date, too.  Congrats on the first card.  You are in the right place to learn the correct strategies to maximize your credit products. ... View more

Hi, Lexa----I can answer a few of your questions.   Member services told me the car loan is available for 30 days.  You can activate it on the SkyBranch site.  They would do another pull if you don't use it this time and apply later.  It should not show up on your credit report unless you do activate it.  Alliant is pretty good with initial credit lines as far as I know.  Hopefully others can chime in on the other questions.   I have enjoyed my brief time with them so far. ... View more

I agree with the previous advice.   Keep the account.  Store cash in the savings account that you would charge on the Visa.  When the charges hit, transfer the money over to the Visa.  Your line will be fully replenished.   This takes you to a more cash/carry type of existence with them, but it does work. ... View more

I would think that the times may vary on when the data is updated.   I would, though, recommend ordering your report after the bulk of your accounts' statements have posted.  That will ensure that you get the most up-to-date information. ... View more