I applied for a car loan in January and was rejected. I decided to send in for my credit history just to see how (bad?) things were - I received it yesterday. I suppose I am wondering if you guys have any experience trying to 'clear up' your credit history.
For me it started a few years ago. I had a job where my paychecks were actually bouncing. It took me a while to get out of that job - but while it was happening, I couldn't pay my student loans or my credit cards. So my history is a bit tainted. For the past three years I've had two steady jobs (one after the other) with paychecks direct deposited, credit cards paid on time, and I fully paid off my student loan.
My current 'credit' situation:
I rent my room from my friend that owns the house. I own both of my cars (both purchased in cash). My paychecks are direct deposited. I own a cell phone (paid on time). I have no loans. Credit cards:
AT&T Universal Card (first credit card, since '95) $0 balance - never really use it
Discover Card: $400 balance - will be paid off next month
Citibank Platinum: $0 balance - don't really use it
US Bank NWA miles card: $1,000 balance (just purchased some furniture, will be paid off with tax return)
US Bank Corporate card: varied balance, work pays it in full monthly
I'm not really using the other cards, because I've decided that the miles are worth more to me. Should I cancel the AT&T and Citibank cards? Does it look bad to cancel two cards at around the same time? I suppose I'd be happy with just my NWA and Discover cards (didn't get approved for an Amex Blue). The Corporate card is required for work.
My history report has 6! 'Prior payment history' ding - the most recent being 8/99. Like I said, I was in trouble a while back. 4 of them are from being late paying my loan, and the other two are from credit cards. I admit that I was late paying - but is there any way to get those off my history outside of waiting the required 6 years?
I also have an obscene amount of credit history requests. 36!!! in the last two years. Is that normal? Any way to get those off my history?
I guess I'm just trying to get my financial situation back in order. I'm probably going to hold off on that 'new car' for now anyway... but I'd like to clean up my past and improve my credit for the future! Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated!
For me it started a few years ago. I had a job where my paychecks were actually bouncing. It took me a while to get out of that job - but while it was happening, I couldn't pay my student loans or my credit cards. So my history is a bit tainted. For the past three years I've had two steady jobs (one after the other) with paychecks direct deposited, credit cards paid on time, and I fully paid off my student loan.
My current 'credit' situation:
I rent my room from my friend that owns the house. I own both of my cars (both purchased in cash). My paychecks are direct deposited. I own a cell phone (paid on time). I have no loans. Credit cards:
AT&T Universal Card (first credit card, since '95) $0 balance - never really use it
Discover Card: $400 balance - will be paid off next month
Citibank Platinum: $0 balance - don't really use it
US Bank NWA miles card: $1,000 balance (just purchased some furniture, will be paid off with tax return)
US Bank Corporate card: varied balance, work pays it in full monthly
I'm not really using the other cards, because I've decided that the miles are worth more to me. Should I cancel the AT&T and Citibank cards? Does it look bad to cancel two cards at around the same time? I suppose I'd be happy with just my NWA and Discover cards (didn't get approved for an Amex Blue). The Corporate card is required for work.
My history report has 6! 'Prior payment history' ding - the most recent being 8/99. Like I said, I was in trouble a while back. 4 of them are from being late paying my loan, and the other two are from credit cards. I admit that I was late paying - but is there any way to get those off my history outside of waiting the required 6 years?
I also have an obscene amount of credit history requests. 36!!! in the last two years. Is that normal? Any way to get those off my history?
I guess I'm just trying to get my financial situation back in order. I'm probably going to hold off on that 'new car' for now anyway... but I'd like to clean up my past and improve my credit for the future! Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated!