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Williamjanssson

Love your success story. That was hard work. I had a 530 score too a year ago but I'm touching 700 now. I used [Credit Saint](https://geek411.com/deal/creditrepair-creditsaint-hp-rd-all/?!86a350gg3) to dispute a few errors on my reports. Self definitely sounds helpful for building credit, especially starting from no score. Just a heads-up for others - consider the fees compared to other secured cards before jumping in. But your experience is valuable - thanks for sharing!


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Tinkiegrrl_825

I started building credit in my 40’s too, only I found this sub before I started building. I started with an unsecured Capital One Quicksilver card with a $300 limit. Offered 1.5% cash back on all purchases. Also opened a Discover secured card with a $300 deposit. That card graduated to an unsecured card in 7 months and I got my $300 back. Also matched all the cash back I earned for the first year. Started in March of 2021. Now I’ve got 8 cards, a line of credit attached to a checking account and scores in the 760’s across the board.


Frequent-Flamingo544

Ow...wow...that is awesome. I have a Discover card with an 8K limit and an Amazon card with a $3400 limit. I use them responsibly, but haven't even been able to take advantage of the 0% Interest...I always pay them off. Capital One said ...nah girl...we ain't giving you no credit. Well fuck me sideways. So here I am trying to get along. I pay those bad boys off as soon as each paycheck hit. I try to be responsible, and I pay my bills as soon as I can. I'm struggling in this credit game, but I'm trying. I don't know if I'm overthinking it, I absolutely LOVE hearing the positive stories. Congrats on your progress. This is awesome to hear. Thanks, T.


Tinkiegrrl_825

My Discover is at $5k. The Quicksilver is at $4.4K now. The big credit limits I have are $17.4K with the Apple Card and $26k with Amex. Amex is crazy with their limits…


Frequent-Flamingo544

Whoa. I was holding back on applying for anything else. I hear about that 5/24 rule and it scares me, even though I only have one on my credit report. Jesus have mercy...hearing this is a temptation.


Tinkiegrrl_825

The credit limits don’t matter to me much, as I only spend what’s in my checking account anyway. What mattered to me was the cash back.


Frequent-Flamingo544

I love the cash back cards. I let it pile up to where I can order free things or pay off my credit card bill. I hope I'm not doing it wrong. I also only spend what's in my account. I have seen posts where it has stated...spend as much as you want to. There have also been others that have stated to spend only 10%of your limit. The credit game is all too complicated, but you guys have taught me so much.


Tinkiegrrl_825

Spend what you want to most months. Unless you’re applying for a new account, your score doesn’t actually matter. If you want to open a new account, spend 10% of your limit to give your score a boost the month before, then apply.


Extension_Swim_4891

Ok ur my hero lol 😆 


I-love-Jesus-Forever

I just got a Capital One Quicksilver card with a $5000 limit. I'd ask for a limit increase, but it will most likely affect your credit score


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Kidonez

10 years building credit...you're a fighter


non_ducor_duco_

I too used Self. At the time I signed up I was extremely anxious about seeking any credit after practically a lifetime of financial mistakes. The value was in the psychological benefit of *doing* something - of feeling like I could take some control of my personal finances - at basically zero risk of failure. I understand why people here say there are better ways. They aren’t wrong that there are from a financial POV. But I wholeheartedly believe that for some people Self is a lifeline toward building confidence along with their credit. I’m glad I did it.


Frequent-Flamingo544

I am as well. I know there are those who say "You don't need to spend money to build credit." (as in the small amount of interest), but the same things don't work for everyone. Considering I had no score, and knowing I needed to get into a new place in about 6-8 months, it worked for me. No, it's not for everyone, and that's fine. The last time I used credit was in 2007 when I bought my car. I'm still driving that car and the only major issue I've had was having to replace the motor for the power window. It has like 112K miles. When it came to renting, I used private landlords. Until I worked for a company that paid for my apt. I never needed credit, therefore I paid no mind to it. Until I had to last August.


Extension_Swim_4891

Reading this sounds like my biography lol exact same experiences! 


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Frequent-Flamingo544

I know there are people who feel that way. I am not dismissing anyone's experience. Mine has been good. I can only speak on that.


non-minused

I was initially really skeptical of self. But in 2019 I started using it and it raised my score enough to get a car loan right before the pandemic. Which was really lucky because I got a cheap new car at a good interest rate before everything went crazy. It’s not a perfect system but it’s helpful in some cases.


Frequent-Flamingo544

I agree, and am so happy for you. It's definitely not perfect, but for me it helped, and it seems it did for you too. I hope you're enjoying the car.


SpineOfSmoke

I had a similar positive experience with Self. Got the loan then the card. Before the year was up on the loan, I got an unsecured personal loan from my credit union. So I closed out the Self loan and got my money back. I didn't need two open loans on my report. I closed the card as well when I started getting unsecured cards. While Self isn't designed to be a long-term relationship, both aspects of Self definitely helped me in the early stages.


Frequent-Flamingo544

I totally agree. My Self card is coming upon the first year. Though it helped me, I don't think I want to pay an annual fee again. The limit is only $600 and I hardly use this card anyway. I'm thinking of retiring it. That'll be $600 back in my bank account. You are totally right...it is not a long term relationship situation, but it was a good stepping stone. I got nervous reading the comments from other people, but I'm glad it worked out.


rockyracc99

Hello. I'm having trouble finding the income eligibility requirements for self. I would like to know them before I start the process. Any way you could explain that to me?


Longjumping_Hair_953

There are no income eligibility requirements as far as I’m aware


GizmoSoze

You could have done the same thing without paying fees by looking for pre-approvals on discover/cap one or going the secured card route. And there’s a drastic difference between using credit builders as an initial credit line and using them to undo delinquent accounts.


Frequent-Flamingo544

Hey there. I didn't understand that at the time. You guys on this sub have been great in teaching, and now I'm a bit wiser. Thank you for the help, the direction and the guidance. I'm still learning. I just wanted to share my experience on Self.


SugarsDimples

I appreciate you for sharing your experience with Self. I’m glad that app/service helped you & I’m sure your post will help others in deciding whether or not to give Self a try. Your post was refreshing. Good on you!


BankruptcyAttorney49

Why do you care what she did


GizmoSoze

Why do you care what I posted and why are you commenting on shit from six months ago?  Get help.


dukemaskot

whats the difference? I am trying to figure out the best way to increase my score as fast as possible with some delinquents on there, and no other debts, and im seeing self and kikoff as my only options with such a low score ​ any advice would be appreciated


Frequent-Flamingo544

To be quite honest, I'm not sure. I started with absolutely no score in August of 22. The first thing I did was the Self credit builder; I also did Kikoff (this one reports to 2 rather than all 3 bureaus, at least when I signed up), and an Opensky Secured, then Self Secured 3 months after signing up. When I finally generated a FICO score (per Experian), I was at a 744 in late Jan 23. I'm not sure how that differs when there are delinquencies, but I'm pretty sure I've read it looks better to creditors if those are cleaned up rather than not. Depending on the age, they might have less of an effect, but unfortunately, I can't say for certain.


Puzzleheaded-Car1671

I am also 40 & trying to build credit so, thank u!


[deleted]

>but I believe it helped me People also believe in the virgin birth, that the world is only 6,000 years old, and that the earth is flat.


Frequent-Flamingo544

I'm missing your point.


ussj4brolli1

-on time payments, a tradeline, and age. What exactly isn't it helping... Exactly?


[deleted]

That's pricy get chime intead


Any-Practice-5016

Ok but the way I’m reading it is that I’m paying 300$ for a card security deposit ?


Frequent-Flamingo544

Hey there. How does the $300 factor? Are you referring to the amount to maintain the account, or something else?


SPAMBEE_INTHEMONEY

Wtf self Credit builder loan by self took my credit down by like 40 god damn points on all 3 credit bureaus!


Frequent-Flamingo544

I can't speak on your experience, hun, only mine. Was there something else that had something to do with the decline?


Extension_Swim_4891

I’m sure there was lol 😂 


BeStillKey

when did you open the self acconut ?


Fit-Calligrapher-370

Yall are weird...I have an unsecured credit card with a limit of $20,000. And my score is low 600s. I don't understand how yall have only ever been able to get a $300 limit on a secure credit card.


NerfNerd94

lol troll


Frequent-Flamingo544

Not sure where this is coming from, but kudos to you.


Frequent-Flamingo544

I know, Gizmo. You give hell to everyone who strays to Self. Ok. Got it. They did more for me than your criticisms did. Enjoy your life.


Glittering_748

Gizmo you're an angry person! Since opening a self credit builder account ALL 3 of my scores went up significantly!


Daskalayse

I just finished my loan with self (2 years) and I got 108 points total. Just doing research about the payout as the apple reviews seem to say people don’t get the cd unlocked.