CreditBoards > CALady's Success Story

CALady

Feb 10 2005, 08:02 PM

My scores were as follows when I first joined CB:

05/2004
TransUnion-661
Equifax-601
Experian-615

Problems were: very high utilization, one 30-day late with Macy's & one 60-day late with First Premier back in 1999.

Total revolving CL were around $15,000.

Thanks to CB, I was able to get rid of the lates, and improve my utilization dramatically.

Now my total credit lines look like this:

PERSONAL CARDS

Discover Platinum - $10,000
Chase Platinum - $4,300
Providian Platinum - $1,500
Citi Diamond Preferred - $10,000
Citi Home Rebate Card - $10,000
Citi Platinum - $10,000
National City Elite - $2,000
Patelco Visa - $12,000
Amex Green Rewards - N/A
Amex Starwood - $6,900
MBNA Sharper Image - $5,000
MBNA Merill+ - $10,500
Chase Toys R Us - $10,000
Circuit City Visa - $5,000
Bank One Disney Visa - $7,900
MBNA Bluenile LOC - $5,500
Thomasville GECC - $10,000
Levitz - $3,500
Sears - $875
Home Depot - $9,000
Best Buy - $10,000
OfficeMax - $1,100
Macys - $5,100
Chevron - $1,500
Shell - $300
JCPenney - $2,500
Target - $200

Total Personal: $154,675

BUSINESS CARDS

Amex BlueCash Biz - $17,400
US Bank Worldperks - $7,500
Bank of America Plat - $2,000
Chase GM Biz Plat - $15,000
Marriot Rewards Visa - $7,000
Amazon Corp - $1,500
Best Buy - $7,500
Home Depot - $3,000
Expo Design - $3,000
Office Depot - $1,000
Lowes Revolving - $1,200
Walmart Revolving - $1,500
Sears Net 30 - $5,000
Tiffanys Net 30
Viking Net 30
NEBS Net 30
Uline Net 30
UPS - weekly billing

Total Biz: $72,600

--------------------

Total Biz + Personal: $227,275

My most latest scores are in my siggy.

I still learn something new each day when I log onto CB, and share as much as I can of my experiences in order to help and motivate in my own little way the others on this board.

CB has been my saving grace, and I've also come across some of the coolest people because of this board.

Edited to add:

Also because of this board, I am now the proud homeowner of two homes (one I am doing a rent to own on, and the other, my dream home that I now live in). I was also able to successfully launch my own business and gain business credit for it, and got a new 2004 Sienna last year with a great rate.

I've been pimping CB off to all my friends and family, saying this board is better than sex, and that they should all join!

Boofie400

Feb 10 2005, 08:11 PM

WHAT an inspiration! Congrats and thanks for sharing.

Kona

Feb 10 2005, 08:48 PM

Congrats upon your fabulous success! You are a great example of what can be done with determination and the desire to succeed, mixed with the information and support from this board!

hegemony

Feb 10 2005, 09:46 PM

and thanks for helping my FICO stock have a higher return! keep up the good work vegan

direred

Feb 10 2005, 10:07 PM

Heg, hey, I help your stock too!

(I'm almost as bad as CALady was in her pre-closing months)

Congrats CALady!

CALady

Feb 10 2005, 10:48 PM

Thanks everyone ... it really is to people on this board, my predecessors and newbies alike, that I attribute my credit success to.

QUOTE(hegemony @ Feb 10 2005, 07:46 PM)

and thanks for helping my FICO stock have a higher return! keep up the good work vegan

Lol heg, I like my meat just fine!

They're good in lumpia... oh and I made some pansit today, want some?

hegemony

Feb 10 2005, 10:52 PM

vegan and is Las Vegan you funny bird...and when do I get some pancit!

CALady

Feb 10 2005, 11:02 PM

QUOTE(hegemony @ Feb 10 2005, 08:52 PM)

vegan and is Las Vegan you funny bird...and when do I get some pancit!

veg·an (vē'gən, vĕj'ən)
n.
A vegetarian who eats plant products only, especially one who uses no products derived from animals, as fur or leather.

[Short for VEGETARIAN.]

Heg! I'm finally getting my patio done by DuraKool ... I hated looking at that bare backyard of mine! So when does the weather around here start warming up a bit more???

Neen

Feb 10 2005, 11:09 PM

Personally, I think CALady's a fruit loop, but what do I know?

Congratufreakinglations on the spectacular climb in CLs and scores!!!!!!!!

CALady

Feb 10 2005, 11:11 PM

QUOTE(Neen @ Feb 10 2005, 09:09 PM)

Personally, I think CALady's a fruit loop, but what do I know?

Congratufreakinglations on the spectacular climb in CLs and scores!!!!!!!!

Girl, I like me Fruit Loops in the AM. Don't you be saying nothing bad bout my Fruit Loops!

Brad J

Feb 10 2005, 11:18 PM

Thanks CALady

hegemony

Feb 10 2005, 11:19 PM

not enough fiber in fruit loops...

CALady

Feb 10 2005, 11:20 PM

QUOTE(hegemony @ Feb 10 2005, 09:19 PM)

not enough fiber in fruit loops...

Bah, party pooper.

Are you gonna answer my questiona bout when it's gonna start warming up here in Vegas?

Or did you move outta here already, since I noticed you changed your location?

hegemony

Feb 10 2005, 11:25 PM

no go on the old country...now working on down under...

Rawhide

Feb 11 2005, 07:10 AM

How big of purse or wallet do you require to carry that plastic around in?

chris4228

Feb 11 2005, 10:04 AM

CaLady,

Congratulations on all of your success. You're one of my many Credit Boards Idols.

chris4228

TexasLady?

Feb 11 2005, 10:51 AM

AWESOME CaLady!!!

P.S. - See, I knew you couldn't resist pulling your fico again

CALady

Feb 11 2005, 12:35 PM

QUOTE(Rawhide @ Feb 11 2005, 05:10 AM)

How big of purse or wallet do you require to carry that plastic around in?

My little ole Coach wallet can carry about 10 or so CCs.

I don't carry all of them with me. Just a three or four of my favorite ones, the card of the month which would need usage, and maybe a store one if I'm heading out that way.

saralee

Feb 11 2005, 01:35 PM

Wow, CAlady you have sooooo many CC. Did your score increase by lowering your utilization? Its funny, because I thought if a person had a lot of revolving accounts they would be considered a high risk.

I guess thats a myth. if you use the sparingly and keep utilization low, it doesn't really matter how many CC you carry. People who have a lot of open credit with no utilization is actually a higher risk I heard. How many CC do you carry? Did you get all those cards when your score jumped, or did you have many prior to CB?

CALady

Feb 11 2005, 01:48 PM

QUOTE(saralee @ Feb 11 2005, 11:35 AM)

Wow, CAlady you have sooooo many CC. Did your score increase by lowering your utilization? Its funny, because I thought if a person had a lot of revolving accounts they would be considered a high risk.

I guess thats a myth. if you use the sparingly and keep utilization low, it doesn't really matter how many CC you carry. People who have a lot of open credit with no utilization is actually a higher risk I heard. How many CC do you carry? Did you get all those cards when your score jumped, or did you have many prior to CB?

Yes, score increased due to lowered utilization, which was really my main issue once I got my lates from back in 1999 off.

Prior to CB, I did have Chase, Discover, and Citi, but with very low limits.

Most of my cards I now have I got after I found CB and was able to improve my scores.

aescutie

Feb 11 2005, 02:38 PM

Impressive indeed...everyday for a while there...I looked forward to seeing which card you were getting that day...

Truly an inspiration!!!

saralee

Feb 12 2005, 02:23 AM

CA

saralee

Feb 12 2005, 02:28 AM

CALady, I finally have only prime cards now.

AMEX blue cash 5K (just recieved card)
Lockheed CU $5000
Wescom $5000

Providian $3600 -canceled card, interst high, annual fee
Capital 1 $2500-cancel- I guess you know why, lol.

I applied for citidiviend pre-approval offer and denied. They stated two recent accounts less the 12mths. Did you do all your apps at once, or how old were your accounts when you opened up new accounts. I could not believe that citi denied me.

I received today a pre-approval for citi-diamond, but I guess if they deny one, it will be for all citi cards, Right?

KAZPUR

Feb 12 2005, 10:13 PM

WOW!
Girl, I would be jumping for joy with just one of your cards with its credit limit!
Truely an inspiration.
Thank you

txcredit

Feb 16 2005, 07:38 AM

calady u r definitely an inspiration 2 me and i really like what u have accomplished and i alwayz read ur post here bcuz u give dam good advice. next week i am forming my corp here n texas as a consulting corp for small buz here n houston and the surrounding areas and i hope evrything goez az smooth az it went for u. by the way what type of corp do u have and do u have any suggestions for someone new az myself?

purified7

Feb 21 2005, 02:28 AM

do thomasville give Small business or corporate credit card??

purified7

Feb 21 2005, 03:20 PM

congrats,

how can i get all those credit biz like you?

purified7

Feb 21 2005, 03:21 PM

does thomas ville give biz credit? do you have their number

A+Credit2005

Oct 24 2005, 06:15 PM

Congrats on your success'!!

james

Nov 30 2005, 12:54 AM

CONGRATS on all your success! I miss your posts CaLady. I hope you are doing well.

Brad J

Nov 30 2005, 04:16 PM

She's been gone a long long time james.

I do remember she had an incredible run with approvals and CLI's. It was awe inspiring to say the least and I am glad I followed her posts, cause I sure learned alot.

junebug_

Dec 9 2005, 08:32 AM

Hi everyone,
I just started reading this board and I am a little confused. It seems like the goal of the people here is to borrow as much money as possible and be in debt for the rest of their lives. I don't mean to sound cynical, but I do not even own a CC, have no car payments, mortgage will be paid in 4 years, and I work hard to keep 6 months cash in a savings account for rainy days. Is my approach flawed, am I missing some point somewhere?

Thanks for any words of wisdom!!

BrwnEyedGirl

Dec 9 2005, 11:34 AM

QUOTE(junebug_ @ Dec 9 2005, 05:32 AM)

Hi everyone,
I just started reading this board and I am a little confused. It seems like the goal of the people here is to borrow as much money as possible and be in debt for the rest of their lives. I don't mean to sound cynical, but I do not even own a CC, have no car payments, mortgage will be paid in 4 years, and I work hard to keep 6 months cash in a savings account for rainy days. Is my approach flawed, am I missing some point somewhere?

Thanks for any words of wisdom!!

You should have posted this in the Money Management or Credit Forum instead of posting it under a success story.

stillinthegame

Dec 10 2005, 11:30 AM

QUOTE(Brad J @ Nov 30 2005, 04:16 PM)

She's been gone a long long time james.

I do remember she had an incredible run with approvals and CLI's. It was awe inspiring to say the least and I am glad I followed her posts, cause I sure learned alot.

I agree. She helped me tremendously-always encouraging and steering me in the right direction.

Brad J

Dec 13 2005, 01:14 PM

QUOTE(junebug_ @ Dec 9 2005, 08:32 AM)

Hi everyone,
I just started reading this board and I am a little confused. It seems like the goal of the people here is to borrow as much money as possible and be in debt for the rest of their lives. I don't mean to sound cynical, but I do not even own a CC, have no car payments, mortgage will be paid in 4 years, and I work hard to keep 6 months cash in a savings account for rainy days. Is my approach flawed, am I missing some point somewhere?

Thanks for any words of wisdom!!

Congratulations.

Since you have no credit cards, no car loans, and 6 months living expenses saved, there is really no reason for you to stick around CB, now is there?

Thanks for stopping by

ladygirl99

Dec 30 2005, 04:49 PM

QUOTE(Brad J @ Dec 13 2005, 01:14 PM)

QUOTE(junebug_ @ Dec 9 2005, 08:32 AM)

Hi everyone,
I just started reading this board and I am a little confused. It seems like the goal of the people here is to borrow as much money as possible and be in debt for the rest of their lives. I don't mean to sound cynical, but I do not even own a CC, have no car payments, mortgage will be paid in 4 years, and I work hard to keep 6 months cash in a savings account for rainy days. Is my approach flawed, am I missing some point somewhere?

Thanks for any words of wisdom!!

Congratulations.

Since you have no credit cards, no car loans, and 6 months living expenses saved, there is really no reason for you to stick around CB, now is there?

Thanks for stopping by

tryonpark

Jan 24 2006, 09:30 AM

QUOTE(CALady @ Feb 10 2005, 08:02 PM)

My scores were as follows when I first joined CB:
How did you improve your credit so dramatically??
05/2004
TransUnion-661
Equifax-601
Experian-615

Problems were: very high utilization, one 30-day late with Macy's & one 60-day late with First Premier back in 1999.

Total revolving CL were around $15,000.

Thanks to CB, I was able to get rid of the lates, and improve my utilization dramatically.

Now my total credit lines look like this:

PERSONAL CARDS

Discover Platinum - $10,000
Chase Platinum - $4,300
Providian Platinum - $1,500
Citi Diamond Preferred - $10,000
Citi Home Rebate Card - $10,000
Citi Platinum - $10,000
National City Elite - $2,000
Patelco Visa - $12,000
Amex Green Rewards - N/A
Amex Starwood - $6,900
MBNA Sharper Image - $5,000
MBNA Merill+ - $10,500
Chase Toys R Us - $10,000
Circuit City Visa - $5,000
Bank One Disney Visa - $7,900
MBNA Bluenile LOC - $5,500
Thomasville GECC - $10,000
Levitz - $3,500
Sears - $875
Home Depot - $9,000
Best Buy - $10,000
OfficeMax - $1,100
Macys - $5,100
Chevron - $1,500
Shell - $300
JCPenney - $2,500
Target - $200

Total Personal: $154,675

BUSINESS CARDS

Amex BlueCash Biz - $17,400
US Bank Worldperks - $7,500
Bank of America Plat - $2,000
Chase GM Biz Plat - $15,000
Marriot Rewards Visa - $7,000
Amazon Corp - $1,500
Best Buy - $7,500
Home Depot - $3,000
Expo Design - $3,000
Office Depot - $1,000
Lowes Revolving - $1,200
Walmart Revolving - $1,500
Sears Net 30 - $5,000
Tiffanys Net 30
Viking Net 30
NEBS Net 30
Uline Net 30
UPS - weekly billing

Total Biz: $72,600

--------------------

Total Biz + Personal: [size=7]$227,275

My most latest scores are in my siggy.

I still learn something new each day when I log onto CB, and share as much as I can of my experiences in order to help and motivate in my own little way the others on this board.

CB has been my saving grace, and I've also come across some of the coolest people because of this board.

Edited to add:

Also because of this board, I am now the proud homeowner of two homes (one I am doing a rent to own on, and the other, my dream home that I now live in). I was also able to successfully launch my own business and gain business credit for it, and got a new 2004 Sienna last year with a great rate.

I've been pimping CB off to all my friends and family, saying this board is better than sex, and that they should all join!