Why is my credit still crap?

Creditkarma offers what's called a Vantage score, which is calculated different than the FICO score mortgage lenders use.

Step one - stop paying USAA to monitor your credit. You can do it for free through creditkarma. Their credit 'score' number is just as off as the vantage score.

Your best course of action is to

a: open another account. This will lower utilization and help you in the long run. Your credit will take an initial hit but the long term benefits are valuable. Recommend a good grocery/gas rewards card that you pay in full each month.

b: pay down your $800 balance. You should not let your balance on a $1000 card go over $100. If you need to, pay down the balance several times throughout the month. Request a credit limit increase on this card.

c: Dispute the comcast collections. If it remains on your report after a month, write the collector to verify the debt. If they verify it, negotiate a pay-for-delete on that bullshit. If it's 7 years old it shouldn't be on your report!

c: take these steps and try again in 6 months.

/r/personalfinance Thread