I am TRULY TRULY not applying for anything until March 2002, when my Citi 6 month anniversary hits. I'll then apply for a silver AA and upgrade it to gold world if the limit is decent. By November 2002, I want an AMEX gold. By November 2002, I want a Bank of America gold or platinum Alaska Airlines card. By November 2002, I intend to only have a single charge card, my Target retail, 2 Citibanks, 1 MBNA, and a Bank of America. By November 2003, I may consider getting another 1-2 cards depending on situation. Is this all reasonable? What scores are needed for AMEX gold and Bank of America? I'll be continuing the dispute/settle/possibly sue process to chop off some inquiries and kill the few remaining derogs. I've decided to let all my tradelines get a year positive history, before closing the crap cards. What is everyone else's goals? Maybe we can all help each other reach them
What are your goals with regards to your balances? Any plans to be credit card debt free? That's what I'm shooting for...Target Date April 2002.
My credit goal for next year is higher limits on existing cards and lower interest rates. Getting my AMEX Gold Rewards Plus card and getting a house or a new car I am shooting for over $100,000 in limits because eventually in five years I plan on opening my own law practice and AMEX and MBNA are very good to lawyers! So if they comfortable enough to give me sizable limits on my personal credit, i am sure to get reasonable credit with them when needed and as a backup to a business loan. Cypri
Hrmmm, my credit goals? Let's see... 1. Get total CC debt (currently around $11,800) under $5K by my wedding in Jan 2003. 2. Pay down Citibank VISA (currently w/$6900 bal. on $8250 limit) and upgrade to Platinum Select once it's around 30% usage. 3. Get that awful 18.9% APR on the Target VISA lowered to 9.9%--even if it takes several steps. 4. Refinance car (currently with BofA at 11.49%) through my CU for hopefully around 6% after the holidays. 5. Combine my two MBNA Platinum Plus MC's to one Quantum card! 6. Break into the 700 club! Yeah baby!! It's a tall order....but hey, think BIG!! )
pay down my debt. Get lower interest rates and buy a townhouse. No MORE new credit cards for me! Need to refrain myself. That is a major goal of mine.
I'm never truly in debt... Allow me to explain. I live with my mother, and pay no rent. My gas, food, clothes, schooling, and such are paid by my parents and student loans. I also work full time. So I use the cards to buy necessities, wants, and presents for occasions. I'm never spending beyond my means, though I usually do not pay off every month. (to enable credit line increases and have a "balancing" of debt shown on the reports) My main goals are to get lower interest rates on the existing cards and increases, get rid of the sub prime cards, and have 1 charge, 1 retail, and 4 prime major credit cards only by next November. I also will not apply for anything between now and March 2002, and then March-November 2002. Inquiries have probably hacked 20-30 points off my Equifax score. I've been sitting on over $20K of lines for a while, and have never had more than $1600 in "unpaid debt." After my experience with my first college credit card (charging up $500 in one day, not realizing that interest takes you over the limit, adds fees, etc) and some really unfair medical collections and library fines, I am still wary of getting into debt. I am just scared.
I guess it's never too early to start thinking about Credit Resolutions for next year! My biggest goal is to get rid of the bulk of my derogs & establish some good tradelines - get some money in the bank, & get out of my stinky apartment.
How about...I am gonna get a Platinum card by my next birthday (09/2002). I will have a mortgage in 2002. Positive thought does help!
Pay off debt pay off debt pay off debt pay off debt. I am going to have my credit card debt down below $5000 by the end of 2002!!!!!!!!! Then....A NEW CAR
Pay off credit cards, continue to sanitize my CBRs, work existing creditors for line increases (without hard inquiries), and ...from today on... NO MORE CREDIT APPLICATIONS CardKid
