My journey so far, and a couple ?s

[hyp0luxa]

I've managed to get quite a bit accomplished in the past 2 years, and I owe many thanks to this board. Spending time here reading has been extremely beneficial to me in my credit journey.

 

I started in 2011 by buying a used car. The rate I got was 12.99%. My EQ FICO at the time was ~580. I was not at all happy with this and decided to start fixing my credit. Capital One also sent me a pre-approved Credit Steps card the same month, I got it to start establishing positive history.

 

Being very impatient, I attacked most of my issues online with the CRA's over 2 years. My issues were 5+ collection accounts, child support, and no positive history. This served me very well on TU, fair on EQ, and poorly on EX. I got my TU clean with the exception of child support.

 

Sent a Jack Attack for child support to all 3 CRA's. TU deleted. CFPB complaint to EX and EQ for child support, they both deleted.

I still have 2 collection accounts on EX and EQ, that will fall off next month obsolete. And one more on EX only that's in CFPB dispute right now. Once that happens all 3 reports will be clean except for 3 30 day lates on my car loan, for which I send a goodwill letter every 6 months.

 

Now for the good stuff.

 

Oct 2013 (scores around 650 at this point):

Cap1 Auto CLI 500-> 2k

Chase Freedom 2k

BOA Cash Rewards 1k, CLI to 2k on activation

 

So wow, I'm happy. Now I have more tools to create positive history, but, I start reading more... B* TU and EQ.. now here's where child support came off TU

 

Jan 2014

GEMB PayPal Extras MC 5k

GEMB W* Discover 1.5k Recon to 2.5k

 

Wow, made it to 5k! This was a benchmark I wanted to hit to influence CLI's and new SL's. I feel like I should cool my heels, don't want to make anyone nervous.

Needed a new laptop, child support now off all reports TU March FICO 737

 

Mar 2014

Barclays Apple 3.5k (Balance of 2.7k to report next month)

Chase Freedom CLI 2k -> 5k (recon, pulled all 3)

 

After the 3 Chase pulls I know I need to take a break. Froze EX.

 

What I'd like to do is get a CLI on my BOA card - how long should I wait? I requested one at 4 months, HP and denied only for not being open 6 months. It's now 6 months.

 

PayPal and/or W* after statement 4.

 

I plan on going for AMEX BCE later in the year (6+ months) and want to have at least 1 10k TL before I apply.

 

All my cards are PIF, except Barclays

 

Do I need to admit I have a problem?

 

[BDK]

No, you are among friends!