I learned something crazy today and maybe it is just a one time thing or maybe not. Anyway my fiance has equifax score watch. His score increased by 20 points for increasing his debt to income ratio from 8% to 10%. We thought that having a 0 blance would make our scores higher but actually showing that you have some debt can actually help your score. Or maybe like I said this could just be a one time thing. Anyone know?:

Well, I just want better contol over my finances. I don't want to have $13,600 of credit card debt. And that is if I max out my cards.

Eldarwen, that's a pretty good idea. I think a lot of people should incorporate that idea into their lifestyle.

What is starting to get me in line is by having only one credit card with a very low limit (for me at least). That would be my Chase Amazon.com card. It is keeping me in line because I know how high the limit is and I really watch how much I spend and then I pay it in full every month.

Smart move Eldarwen! They can creep up on you.:

I'm working on paying off my credit cards because I think my balances are getting a little to high. I am only keeping one credit card in my wallet and I am working on a budget because I want it to be paid off by June of next year.

Kellbell, maxing out or going over the limit of a credit card is never good.

What increased your score was that you paid off a card with a balance and lowered your utilization.

Keep up the good work!

This is the best topic yet. I'm almost certain that creditors like to see you charge a high balance and then pay it off over time. I had a balance on my Capital One card that was over the limit. I eventually paid it off and much to my surprise, my credit score was 100 points more over the span of 3 months. One factor could be that I reached the 6 month mark with my Capital One at the time and another factor could be that I paid off a 528 balance in 3 months.

? lol

Mack-a-licious!

snoop?

Fg! Ahhhhh, you got me on that one. Ok HJM331, naaaahhhh, I am NOT going to do that to you Snoop!

Who's that kiss to Meya? HMMMMMMMMM?

Yup, we owe it all to FG! *applause*