I've applied to my bank's credit card (they can even set it up so one card can drawn from the credit line OR your checking account) every year or so, and they keep turning me down. When I was in a bad way several years ago they even asked me why I didn't come to them for help instead of payday loan places, and I nearly shouted at the representative "I DID! YOU TURNED ME DOWN EVERY TIME!" As it stood I just explained that I had tried.
I've applied to my bank's credit card (they can even set it up so one card can drawn from the credit line OR your checking account) every year or so, and they keep turning me down. When I was in a bad way several years ago they even asked me why I didn't come to them for help instead of payday loan places, and I nearly shouted at the representative "I DID! YOU TURNED ME DOWN EVERY TIME!" As it stood I just explained that I had tried.
If you have bad credit you are really hurting yourself by doing that.
I got a warning from Mint.com that I shouldn't use more than 30% of my credit limit. Is there any truth to this?
If you're trying to refine your credit score to get a certain card/loan etc. within the next half-year or so, then yes, this matters. I recently maxed our cards for the wedding & even though we paid on time, in full, my score took a decent hit from which it is still recovering. But I did get a limit increase, as well, so silver lining.
Also, those free credit score websites I mentioned earlier have been very helpful when applying for cards. This way, I can figure out the best time to apply for them and how to optimize chances of the application being accepted. Get your score/report, apply for a score-appropriate card, activate it, & then do whatever you need to do to not use it.
I got the Sallie Mae card & it is better than the Amazon card, and pretty comparable to the Amex Blue Cash (old & new) in terms of other rewards. It's also Mastercard, so more compatible.
I need to pick up a new credit card. I'm looking for a Visa/Mastercard that gives cash-back rewards. I'm considering Amazon, but in practice I don't actually spend that much money there. My main non-rent expenses wind up being air travel.
I have an Amazon card, I honestly don't use it that much. I actively use it on larger purchases, but ideally I should just use it all the time. What I would love is just have it set up to pay off automatically from my main bank account but of course Chase isn't gonna let you do that shit, they want that interest. Maybe you can and I missed that feature but from a cursory glance and a slight understanding of bank motives I am thinking it's pie in the sky. The other problem is Chase is not my main bank. My only interaction with them is through that CC.
I do need to change my auto payments for rent to my CC so I can get those sweet sweet rewards back. You also get 2x and 1x points for purchases outside of Amazon, but they of course highly incentivize buying through Amazon.
What I would love is just have it set up to pay off automatically from my main bank account but of course Chase isn't gonna let you do that shit, they want that interest.
From the main page, Pay Credit Card -> Automatic Payments -> Set Up Automatic Payments.
Chase makes more on one purchase's Merchant Fees than it will on your entire month's interest. It's lost in the underflow half the time.
What I would love is just have it set up to pay off automatically from my main bank account but of course Chase isn't gonna let you do that shit, they want that interest.
From the main page, Pay Credit Card -> Automatic Payments -> Set Up Automatic Payments.
Chase makes more on one purchase's Merchant Fees than it will on your entire month's interest. It's lost in the underflow half the time.
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Also, those free credit score websites I mentioned earlier have been very helpful when applying for cards. This way, I can figure out the best time to apply for them and how to optimize chances of the application being accepted. Get your score/report, apply for a score-appropriate card, activate it, & then do whatever you need to do to not use it.
I got the Sallie Mae card & it is better than the Amazon card, and pretty comparable to the Amex Blue Cash (old & new) in terms of other rewards. It's also Mastercard, so more compatible.
So, what's good?
I do need to change my auto payments for rent to my CC so I can get those sweet sweet rewards back. You also get 2x and 1x points for purchases outside of Amazon, but they of course highly incentivize buying through Amazon.
Chase makes more on one purchase's Merchant Fees than it will on your entire month's interest. It's lost in the underflow half the time.