Ask Hegemony: Am I Diversified?

[hegemony]

Am I diversified Hegemony?

 

Chapter 7 BK discharged 9/2010.

Cap1 - 750

Local CU Visa - 1000

Partners CU Visa <Secured> - 1000

BBRZ MC - 1050

Firestone - 1400

Barclays iTunes Visa - 4000

NFCU Visa - 14000

 

overall grade is a C- but your mitigating factor of the post BK credit must be taken into account. You have obviously worked hard rebuilding so don't be discouraged by the low grade.

 

I would think you could raise your grade over the next 12-24 months with the addition of some serious lines from additional CUs and another barclays card or a couple of oddball cards.

[PrincessMelody]

Hi Hegemony!! Can you tell me how I'm doing, and if you have any recommendations for me? Thanks!!

 

BK7 Discharged 10/07

 

NFCU cashRewards $5000 - 0 balance

Target Red Card $3000 - 0 balance

Capital 1 Platinum - $1500 - 0 balance

Walmart Discover - $1200 - 0 balance

HSN Card - $800 - 0 balance

 

***Also, I have a pre-approval letter from Express for their credit card, which I was going to pull the trigger on, but I was advised here not to go for it.***

 

All these cards get used and then PIF.

 

No Mortgage

Car is paid for

No loans or other debt

 

I also am AU on the cards listed below, all of which have zero balance.

 

I have a 12 month liquid emergency fund, a mutual fund account, and max out 401k.

 

Any advice or help would be much appreciated!!

[ugghh]

 

overall grade is a C- but your mitigating factor of the post BK credit must be taken into account. You have obviously worked hard rebuilding so don't be discouraged by the low grade.

 

I would think you could raise your grade over the next 12-24 months with the addition of some serious lines from additional CUs and another barclays card or a couple of oddball cards.

 

Thank you sir! My plan lately is to get larger CC limits although I keep all balances low <less than 100>. I am already a member of PSECU and Alliant which I hope to take advantage of their credit lines as I become eligible <BK ages>.

[UGAFan]

Thank you hegemony! This ia such a great thread!

[esmehugo]

My turn!

 

 

 

(2005) AmEx Blue Cash - $25k

(2006) Amazon Visa - $30k

(2004) BOA Worldpoints Visa - $30k

(2001) BOA Platinum Plus MasterCard - $30k

(2008) L.L. Bean Visa (Barclays) - $20k

(2007) Citi ThankYou Card - $14,550

(2008) Discover Miles - $7k

 

AU - AmEx Optima platinum $15,300 (opened 1985)

 

I belong to Alliant, but haven't applied for credit there. Am eligible for NFCU and Penfed (my stepson is active duty), but have not applied to either yet.

 

1 TU inq (just got Discover up to 7k from 5k, but it took a hard.) CreditKarma shows 807 Transrisk, 936 VantageScore.

[esmehugo]

P.S. Am also tempted by DCU for the free FICO... decisions, decisions... (Also bumping this to front page... )

[EvoX]

Fidelity Rewards AMEX w/ 2% Cashback $15k

Chase Marriott Rewards Premier Visa Signature $12.4k [Got it because of the signup bonus]

Chase Southwest Visa Signature $12k [Got it because of the signup bonus]

Discover More $8.1k [Really old card, plus I like ShopDiscover]

Citi Platinum $7.5k [0% for 21 mo]

PenFed Rewards $7.5k [Got it for the 5% on gas, the $250 bonus is nice too]

HSBC Saks Platinum $2k [i wanted the World Elite with no AF, but they gave me the Platinum ]

HSBC Platinum $1450 [Oldest card, wouldn't give me a CLI because of lack of usage]

 

BillMeLater $3500 [Doesn't show on credit reports]

Chase Business $5k [Doesn't show on credit reports]

 

FICO is 730-760

AAOA is 4 years

 

What do you think?

[EvoX]

Thinking about adding a USAA card or something from American Express in about 6 months or so.

I have to lay low for a while since I opened up the PenFed and Marriott this month.

[Rotten Maters]

Ok Professor Hege, I'm ready...

 

AMEX Blue Cash Preferred $16,500

AMEX Delta Skymiles Platinum $13,000

Trustmark Bank (local bank) Platinum VISA $7,500

Wells Fargo Financial National Bank (mattress financing) $6,900

Shell Gas Card (through Citi) $5,000

Barclays Financing VISA (through Apple online store) $3,000

Dell Financing $1,000

[jc777]

I hope I am not repeating a question already answered in this long thread. Can you tell this newbie what the goal of this diversification is?

[CG26NX]

Here are mine:

 

AMEX Blue Cash $1000

AMEX Delta $1000

AMEX Gold Premier Rewards

AMEX Starwood Business $8000

AMEX SimplyCash Business $8000

Alliant Rewards Visa $9000

BOA Worldpoints Mastercard $40000

BOA Business visa $13000

Capital One visa $12000

Citi Forward $25200

Citi Advantage Amex $5000

Citi Advantage Business visa$1000

AT&T Business visa $7200

Chase Freedom $3400

Chase AARP visa $6000

Chase Sapphire preferred $16000

Chase Ink Business $31300

Discover $11500

HSBC household mastercard $3500

Sears store card by citi $4000

Penfed visa $30000

 

One mortgage, and two car loan.

 

Any recommendations for more accounts?

Edited January 15, 2012 by CG26NX

[lakpr]

Wow, CG26NX, member since 2005, but first post today??

[CG26NX]

lurking and learning, and keep learning...

 

No.3 post

 

Wow, CG26NX, member since 2005, but first post today??

[jabroni8218]

I'm glad I got my 4th card (priceline visa) and the benefits are nice, but I'm going to have to lay low now. AAOA dropped to 3yr8mo (only 2 older AU lines...new accounts cut that age down) and my CK score dropped to a 713. I know it's a FAKO, but the 4yr threshold is likely important to scoring on FICO & other scores, so I'm going to garden.

 

Or maybe I'll try to buoy off of an Optima account that my relatives have had open for at least 20 years. Ask for AU, tell them to keep the card. Not sure if I could then use that to backdate the Amex BCE I have under my own name. Would this work?

Edited January 15, 2012 by jabroni8218

[EvoX]

I'm glad I got my 4th card (priceline visa) and the benefits are nice, but I'm going to have to lay low now. AAOA dropped to 3yr8mo (only 2 older AU lines...new accounts cut that age down) and my CK score dropped to a 713. I know it's a FAKO, but the 4yr threshold is likely important to scoring on FICO & other scores, so I'm going to garden.

 

Or maybe I'll try to buoy off of an Optima account that my relatives have had open for at least 20 years. Ask for AU, tell them to keep the card. Not sure if I could then use that to backdate the Amex BCE I have under my own name. Would this work?

 

My AAOA dropped from 47 months to 45 months today and my score didn't go down [my utilization also went from 19% to 17% since the new card added to my total limit]

 

Is there something magical about 48 months that makes it much better than 47 months?

[beli]

I know I'm not.. but I'm hoping to change that in the next couple years once my bankrtupcy falls off later this year.

[jabroni8218]

My AAOA dropped from 47 months to 45 months today and my score didn't go down [my utilization also went from 19% to 17% since the new card added to my total limit]

 

Is there something magical about 48 months that makes it much better than 47 months?

 

I think so, at least on CreditKarma 4 years (48 months) to 6 years (72 months) is a "C" while 2-4 is a "D".

 

I think I can hold off on applying for new cards through May at an absolute minimum, then, if I don't need any other type of loan (Car is the only possibility I can think of) I'll probably go for a Penfed or FKFCU 5% gas card.

 

(I have more than enough available credit; I just really want the Chase Freedom & a 5% gas card, maybe the Ciit Forward for ~3% on bookstores [Amazon], and then I'm set...but I believe "that's what they all say").

 

Wish I had access to my FICO. FAKOs only mean so much. It'd be nice to have but I doubt it's worth paying for in my situation. Not planning on buying a home right now.

Edited January 15, 2012 by jabroni8218

[EvoX]

My AAOA dropped from 47 months to 45 months today and my score didn't go down [my utilization also went from 19% to 17% since the new card added to my total limit]

 

Is there something magical about 48 months that makes it much better than 47 months?

 

I think so, at least on CreditKarma 4 years (48 months) to 6 years (72 months) is a "C" while 2-4 is a "D".

 

 

Wish I had access to my FICO. FAKOs only mean so much. It'd be nice to have but I doubt it's worth paying for in my situation. Not planning on buying a home right now.

 

Why do you wish about your FICO, just go and get it. I get mine daily from Equifax. They have multiple scoring models and the score that they show me daily is about 13 points lower than my Equifax FICO, but it's close enough.

 

That's interesting news about the 48 month threshold. I'll find out in a few months!

[jabroni8218]

Why do you wish about your FICO, just go and get it. I get mine daily from Equifax. They have multiple scoring models and the score that they show me daily is about 13 points lower than my Equifax FICO, but it's close enough.

 

That's interesting news about the 48 month threshold. I'll find out in a few months!

 

As I said, given the fact that I have no negatives to dispute and I'm not planning a home purchase...FICO would be nice to know, but not worth paying for.

[esmehugo]

My turn!

 

 

 

(2005) AmEx Blue Cash - $25k

(2006) Amazon Visa - $30k

(2004) BOA Worldpoints Visa - $30k

(2001) BOA Platinum Plus MasterCard - $30k

(2008) L.L. Bean Visa (Barclays) - $20k

(2007) Citi ThankYou Card - $14,550

(2008) Discover Miles - $7k

 

AU - AmEx Optima platinum $15,300 (opened 1985)

 

I belong to Alliant, but haven't applied for credit there. Am eligible for NFCU and Penfed (my stepson is active duty), but have not applied to either yet.

 

1 TU inq (just got Discover up to 7k from 5k, but it took a hard.) CreditKarma shows 807 Transrisk, 936 VantageScore.

 

Bumpity.... (also, I'm fascinated by the facts my posts show up (3 or 4 so far, this makes #4 or #5) but my post count shows zero... I think I must be very stealthy...)

[brainchasm]

NFCU cashRewards - $15k

JPMorgan Select - $15k

Alliant CU VISA - $3k (don't ask, they annoy me)

USAA RateAdvantage - $11k

AMEX Zync - no limit, formerly $3k

 

My available revolving limit total is just shy of my annual income. I'm comfortable with this (but of course more would be better).

 

Next target is AMEX BCP, preferably $10k or better CL

 

excellent diversity and limits with a short portfolio. A mainline 2% cashback card might be in order. I am tempted to give you an A, but I am afraid that would remove your incentive to earn my love. So your grade is a B+ with two gold stars. Add a couple more issuers and you will be at the front of the class. recommend 1) amex BCP 2) SM or barclays 2% and 3) penfed amex (assuming your travel)

AMEX BCP approved today, hegemony. $10k CL. Citi Dividend Platinum Select app'd, expecting approval (for rotating 5% categories and virtual card numbers). I don't travel hardly at all, so no travel card needed (JPMorgan Select will cover me if I do find myself abroad or travelling).

 

[fusioncredit]

How am I doing Hegemoney?

 

My current cards:

 

Amex Blue Cash $2.6k

 

Amex Green NPSL

 

Amex Blue Sky $9.1k (applied & approved 01/04/12...backdated to 01/04) not reporting to CRA yet

 

Amex Delta Sky Gold $9.1k (applied 01/04/12 & approved 01/09/12....backdated to 01/04) not reporting to CRA yet

 

BOA Signature Rewards $5k (applied & approved 01/04/12)

 

BOA Amex Accelerated $5k (same day app as above)

 

Barclay Rewards $4.4k (applied & approved 12/31/11)

 

Best Buy Store Card $2.1k

 

Capital One No Hassle Cash $3k

 

Capital Sparks Business $4.9k

 

Capital Sparks Business $1k

 

Chase Freedom $5k (applied & approved 01/04/12)

 

Chase Slate $1.7k but cli to $5k after Freedom approval

 

Citi Thank You Preferred $2k

 

Citi Platinum MC $4.8k (applied & approved 01/04/12)

 

Citi Diamond Preferred (applied & approved 01/04/12)

 

Discover More $5.5k

 

Discover More $3.8k

 

PenFed Promise $3k (applied 12/13/11 & approved 12/19/11)

 

Walmart Discover $1k (applied & approved 12/31/11)

 

During my app spree on 01/04/12 applied for membership with Lockheed and on 01/09/12 applied for Visa online and got another pull in error since was told the same pull for membership is available for 60 days for loans and credit. The 2nd pull was removed but was used to decline me a measly $5k credit card request.

 

Became Member of First Tech Credit Union with only soft pull 01/04/12...haven't applied for one of their credit cards yet...thinking about waiting 6 months before applying.

 

Also applied for CareCredit last during my app spree and was declined only due to recent inquiries.

 

FNBO pulled EQ instead of EX and declined me since I didn't bother with providing pay stubs and W2's

 

Affinity Credit Union denied me membership because of eligibility requirement. I really was hoping to get in with them and apply for their credit card

 

Oh I also applied for DCU in December of 2011 but forgot that my EQ was frozen and haven't gotten around to reapplying.

 

My Plans:

 

I am contemplating unfreezing my EQ report soon so I can get a CLI on my Citi Thank You Preferred card and Best Buy Store Card. Also apply for DCU membership and possibly Alliant as well. Can't decide if I should wait until the 2 new Amex with $9.1k limits report. I am a limited USAA member with checking/savings account plus the credit monitoring. I want to get one of their credit cards but thinking about waiting until I B* the inquiries off EQ

 

Currently I have the following inquiries 5 EX, 6 EQ, 5 TU

 

I am considering applying for a Sallie Mae and Nationwide Visa Card...also asking for a CLI on my Discover More cards. (would all be TU pulls)

 

My credit history is clean (took me about 3 months to remove all negative stuff), my AAOA right now 6+ years after my app spree excluding the 2 AMEX that aren't reporting yet. Utilization is at 13% but would be under 10% if the new Amex cards were reporting.

[fusioncredit]

Bump

[virtualtreasure]

How am I doing Hegemoney?

 

My current cards:

 

Amex Blue Cash $2.6k

 

Amex Green NPSL

 

Amex Blue Sky $9.1k (applied & approved 01/04/12...backdated to 01/04) not reporting to CRA yet

 

Amex Delta Sky Gold $9.1k (applied 01/04/12 & approved 01/09/12....backdated to 01/04) not reporting to CRA yet

 

BOA Signature Rewards $5k (applied & approved 01/04/12)

 

BOA Amex Accelerated $5k (same day app as above)

 

Barclay Rewards $4.4k (applied & approved 12/31/11)

 

Best Buy Store Card $2.1k

 

Capital One No Hassle Cash $3k

 

Capital Sparks Business $4.9k

 

Capital Sparks Business $1k

 

Chase Freedom $5k (applied & approved 01/04/12)

 

Chase Slate $1.7k but cli to $5k after Freedom approval

 

Citi Thank You Preferred $2k

 

Citi Platinum MC $4.8k (applied & approved 01/04/12)

 

Citi Diamond Preferred (applied & approved 01/04/12)

 

Discover More $5.5k

 

Discover More $3.8k

 

PenFed Promise $3k (applied 12/13/11 & approved 12/19/11)

 

Walmart Discover $1k (applied & approved 12/31/11)

 

During my app spree on 01/04/12 applied for membership with Lockheed and on 01/09/12 applied for Visa online and got another pull in error since was told the same pull for membership is available for 60 days for loans and credit. The 2nd pull was removed but was used to decline me a measly $5k credit card request.

 

Became Member of First Tech Credit Union with only soft pull 01/04/12...haven't applied for one of their credit cards yet...thinking about waiting 6 months before applying.

 

Also applied for CareCredit last during my app spree and was declined only due to recent inquiries.

 

FNBO pulled EQ instead of EX and declined me since I didn't bother with providing pay stubs and W2's

 

Affinity Credit Union denied me membership because of eligibility requirement. I really was hoping to get in with them and apply for their credit card

 

Oh I also applied for DCU in December of 2011 but forgot that my EQ was frozen and haven't gotten around to reapplying.

 

My Plans:

 

I am contemplating unfreezing my EQ report soon so I can get a CLI on my Citi Thank You Preferred card and Best Buy Store Card. Also apply for DCU membership and possibly Alliant as well. Can't decide if I should wait until the 2 new Amex with $9.1k limits report. I am a limited USAA member with checking/savings account plus the credit monitoring. I want to get one of their credit cards but thinking about waiting until I B* the inquiries off EQ

 

Currently I have the following inquiries 5 EX, 6 EQ, 5 TU

 

I am considering applying for a Sallie Mae and Nationwide Visa Card...also asking for a CLI on my Discover More cards. (would all be TU pulls)

 

My credit history is clean (took me about 3 months to remove all negative stuff), my AAOA right now 6+ years after my app spree excluding the 2 AMEX that aren't reporting yet. Utilization is at 13% but would be under 10% if the new Amex cards were reporting.

Affinity FCU is open field via several different association memberships (including Friends of Whittemore for a $5 donation:)

 

http://www.affinityf...anizations.html

 

+1 on waiting to be clear of EQ INQs prior to USAA app for better results.

Edited February 4, 2012 by virtualtreasure

[fusioncredit]

How am I doing Hegemoney?

 

My current cards:

 

Amex Blue Cash $2.6k

 

Amex Green NPSL

 

Amex Blue Sky $9.1k (applied & approved 01/04/12...backdated to 01/04) not reporting to CRA yet

 

Amex Delta Sky Gold $9.1k (applied 01/04/12 & approved 01/09/12....backdated to 01/04) not reporting to CRA yet

 

BOA Signature Rewards $5k (applied & approved 01/04/12)

 

BOA Amex Accelerated $5k (same day app as above)

 

Barclay Rewards $4.4k (applied & approved 12/31/11)

 

Best Buy Store Card $2.1k

 

Capital One No Hassle Cash $3k

 

Capital Sparks Business $4.9k

 

Capital Sparks Business $1k

 

Chase Freedom $5k (applied & approved 01/04/12)

 

Chase Slate $1.7k but cli to $5k after Freedom approval

 

Citi Thank You Preferred $2k

 

Citi Platinum MC $4.8k (applied & approved 01/04/12)

 

Citi Diamond Preferred (applied & approved 01/04/12)

 

Discover More $5.5k

 

Discover More $3.8k

 

PenFed Promise $3k (applied 12/13/11 & approved 12/19/11)

 

Walmart Discover $1k (applied & approved 12/31/11)

 

During my app spree on 01/04/12 applied for membership with Lockheed and on 01/09/12 applied for Visa online and got another pull in error since was told the same pull for membership is available for 60 days for loans and credit. The 2nd pull was removed but was used to decline me a measly $5k credit card request.

 

Became Member of First Tech Credit Union with only soft pull 01/04/12...haven't applied for one of their credit cards yet...thinking about waiting 6 months before applying.

 

Also applied for CareCredit last during my app spree and was declined only due to recent inquiries.

 

FNBO pulled EQ instead of EX and declined me since I didn't bother with providing pay stubs and W2's

 

Affinity Credit Union denied me membership because of eligibility requirement. I really was hoping to get in with them and apply for their credit card

 

Oh I also applied for DCU in December of 2011 but forgot that my EQ was frozen and haven't gotten around to reapplying.

 

My Plans:

 

I am contemplating unfreezing my EQ report soon so I can get a CLI on my Citi Thank You Preferred card and Best Buy Store Card. Also apply for DCU membership and possibly Alliant as well. Can't decide if I should wait until the 2 new Amex with $9.1k limits report. I am a limited USAA member with checking/savings account plus the credit monitoring. I want to get one of their credit cards but thinking about waiting until I B* the inquiries off EQ

 

Currently I have the following inquiries 5 EX, 6 EQ, 5 TU

 

I am considering applying for a Sallie Mae and Nationwide Visa Card...also asking for a CLI on my Discover More cards. (would all be TU pulls)

 

My credit history is clean (took me about 3 months to remove all negative stuff), my AAOA right now 6+ years after my app spree excluding the 2 AMEX that aren't reporting yet. Utilization is at 13% but would be under 10% if the new Amex cards were reporting.

Affinity FCU is open field via several different association memberships (including Friends of Whittemore for a $5 donation:)

 

http://www.affinityf...anizations.html

 

+1 on waiting to be clear of EQ INQs prior to USAA app for better results.

 

I tried to join Affinity through Friends of Whittemore but was declined membership because I am not a resident of New Jersey, New York, or PA

 

I actually applied last night for USAA credit card and was approved today the Platinum MC with $11,800 starting limit