Hellobee Boards

Last time I checked (a couple months ago) it was in the high 700s. I'd love it to be in the 800s

As of July it was 815, however we got 2 new cars in 2011 so I'm sure it took a hit. We are hoping to get a house in the next two years so hopefully it will be back in the 800s by then.

680s or so? factors affecting me are being having a "short" credit history, and high use of credit. but, I've never missed or had a late payment.

Haven't checked in about a year....back then it was about 760 or so.

i'm 23, and didn't really use my credit card very responsibly through my college years. all i have now is that credit card (i'm making the monthly payments, and no longer using the card) and my student loans. my score is abominably low (high 500's). all of you seem to have amazing scores... any advice on how to get mine up? we'd like to buy a house in the next 5 years, and so i would really like to get my score into at least the mid-700's.

ps: my loans won't be paid off for some time - 3 years or so.

@photojane: I have a significant amount of cc debt - I mean significant. I'd PM you the amount but we can't PM, lol. I just make sure to pay on time, every month, and a little more than the min. I signed up for myfico.com which tells you your score, alerts you with any issues, and helps tell you what is affecting your score. mine listed short history of credit (5 years or so) and high amount of debt. in my favor was not asking for more credit and paying on time. hope that helps a little!

ETA - we're using snowballing to pay down the debt. so the cards I'm not focusing on, I pay a little more than min, and the "one" of the month I put every extra dollar toward. But my score hasn't reflected this yet.

@photojane: I found no other trick but time (unfortunately). If you are paying on time, and your card isn’t maxed out – things WILL get better!! Even if you don’t use your remaining credit card, make sure you don’t close out all your accounts which would negatively affect your credit history which is factors into a portion of your score. Also, I would suggest using the card once a quarter for some small purchase so the company doesn’t close it for inactivity (which would also negatively affect your credit score). The credit score people like to see how well you manage credit – so it actually helps to have open trade lines, once you score raises enough to open new cards/auto loans/etc.

@artbee: you should definitely check on one of the free websites. Checking your credit is the best way to make sure you haven't been a victim of identity theft.

@MamaMoose: we recently bought a house so it's been checked, I just don't remember it.

Currently, 689. It was 710 two months ago, and went to 691 last month. Now 689. The only thing that's different is I've paid down more of my debt. Literally.

A few years ago, I had very high use of credit and late payments. I ended up consolidating four lines of credit into one with an overall 8% interest rate (instead of 20-30% each). That in and of itself was a ding on my score. I was denied for a car loan through my credit union because of it last summer (2010), but did get a loan (at a very good rate) from Chase, so who knows.

At any rate, I know my use of credit is now even lower -- I have about $3,000 left to pay on a loan that was once $12,000 -- and I have one late payment from 2009 still hanging out on my credit report. DH's is in the high 700s, low 800s, so I'm hoping everything is A-OK for the FHA mortgage we're applying for.

@sorrycharlie: we're "snowballing" as well! Good luck!! You can do it!!! I know it can be overwhelming but I think snowballing is the best way to tackle it... and think of all the extra money you'll have monthly after it's all GONE!!!

I sound like a credit cheerleader

I don't remember exactly, but it was in the 700s.

@daniellemybelle: Maybe you can at least share your secrets for how to get it so high?

I'm like 803 and hubby is 804. We just got checked by the bank for our solar H20 loan. When we found out he was one point higher, he silently gloated over his one point.