beancurd

Not a FA by any means, but couldn't OP liquidate the holdings in the 401k and then roll the cash over into a traditional Rollover IRA with different fund manager such as Fidelity or Vanguard? OP could then continue to roll his 401k $$$ out each year, or not contribute to his 401k at all and put the money into the IRA instead. (Obviously, the OP would lose out on the $16,500 401k contribution limit and be stuck with the IRA contribution limits)

Mods, please delete if already covered. CCT instituted a price increase the middle of Jan of their service to 29.95. Apparently, some accounts that were setup for extended discounts are now being overcharged for their service. I was locked into the $11.47/month for 2 years, but my last charge was for $18.47. The CSR said they're seeing sporadic issues with many types of accounts. Unfortunately, it's nothing they're empowered to fix over the phone. They'll refund the difference and then open a trouble ticket on the issue and get back to you when it's fixed. My guess is mine was coded as a 50% off promo as opposed to a fixed price promo.

+1

I would not suggest buying a car merely as a means to raise one's scores. Didn't say that. I said to get a cheap car loan. OP can refi all, or a portion, of a vehicle that's already owned.

I'd only do a couple of secured cards. Getting a cheap 2.99% car loan for 6-12 months and then PIF will help your score also. It'll also add a installment account to the mix.

I really, really, really feel for his kid..... Standing next to an 813 and stressing repeatedly how his score is 814. What a control freak.

Expanding on Bob's reply, Chase will grant any up the limit you're qualified for at the time. so yes, 20, 25 +++ and far more is a possibility if you're qualified. Allocation may be necessary if you hit the ceiling they have for you - which is individual... Any way to find out your ceiling without asking for a CLI? I'd like to bump up my $77k Chase INK, but I'd hate to bring the AA smackdown upon my head.

Still no AA. All lines are used liberally.

You do understand that over $2 Trillion worth of credit card lines have been yanked since 2008? The days of easy credit & CLI's are over. The best thing you can do for your credit is allow your current accounts to age and let the inquiries fall off. If you continue to push for new accounts or CLI's, one of your existing accounts is going to flag you for AA and then it can be a downward spiral from there. BTW, $95k/yr doesn't matter much if your overall DTI is high. Adding the $25k car loan is only going to increase that DTI.

Good looking tool. Is this a service? Or provided through a bank or CU?

Really? Just trying to help the OP out. Obviously Hege, like many of us, knows this already.

+1 I PIF high balances every month with no resulting AA. The key is not to revolve. If you've been carrying a balance in this credit climate, the CC companies have already flagged your account as a risk. When you pay it down, they're most likely to balance chase you to zero.

Of those who have gotten the invite, who has maxed the $100k of rewards points through the card each year? Trying to determine if it is a FICO thing or a $$$$$ thing.

I hope that you are indeed correct. A previous Chase Sig card I've had was reported exactly the same way as the the FIA Schwab currently is. The Chase reported as revolving, with only the high balance. That why I assumed this was the status quo for all Sig cards. Chase is doing that, too? Yikes. Is it that way on all CRAs? Chase was doing that. I closed the card years ago to roll the limit into a Chase business card. Yes, all CRA's seem to use the high balance to calculate UTIL if there is no credit limit being reported and the account is listed as REVOLVING. I'm going to take a wait and see on the Flagship. It's a bummer though, I was thinking about trying to bump it to $80k before this happened. (Of course Sig cards are 'supposed' to have no preset spending limit.......)

I hope that you are indeed correct. A previous Chase Sig card I've had was reported exactly the same way as the the FIA Schwab currently is. The Chase reported as revolving, with only the high balance. That why I assumed this was the status quo for all Sig cards.