I love credit cards so much! v3.0 (see first page for add'l details)

[EACarlson]

Hi, I need some advice. I’m new to credit cards & I’m looking to build my history. I checked my credit & I have a good score. My name is on 2 of my parents cards. I’ll have a new job next month. I’m looking at 2 credit cards in particular right now. The Chase freedom unlimited, & the Discover It cash back. I’ve seen both talked about. Just looking for some thoughts. TIA!

Good choices to start with. I would go with the Freedom Unlimited first. It starts you in the UR world, that many of us use to get flights and hotels, and is also able to be cashed out if that is your preference. The Discover can be good but 1% on most categories makes it a complimentary card.

 

[miztressuz]

Hi, I need some advice. I’m new to credit cards & I’m looking to build my history. I checked my credit & I have a good score. My name is on 2 of my parents cards. I’ll have a new job next month. I’m looking at 2 credit cards in particular right now. The Chase freedom unlimited, & the Discover It cash back. I’ve seen both talked about. Just looking for some thoughts. TIA!

I don't think you can go wrong with either. I'd actually try for both and don't get discouraged if denied for the Chase. Chase has historically liked to see about a year of history on your own card, versus a AU account, before approving for even one of the Freedoms unless you have a banking relationship with them already. Some people sneak in with less than that but it's not something to bank on. Discover is generally known to be a good starter card and they're usually a little more lenient, especially if applying as a student. Many people have their first CC as a Discover card and its a good keeper card for your length of credit history. (As is the CFU) I don't think Discover is very inquiry sensitive so you could try for Chase first and still go for Discover. And if approved for Discover but not Chase, give it 6 months to a year and then try Chase again. If offered the secured Discover card instead, it's not horrible to accept that. There's been good reports here of secured Discover card accounts, from what I recall Discover will automatically evaluate your account and can convert to an unsecured card in a year (or less, possibly) keeping your credit history.

Sign up bonus wise the Discover card has the potential for a bigger return dollars wise, with the unlimited double cashback in the first year, but the Chase has the best return percentage wise. Plus you get started in the UR ecosystem which will have better potential redemptions later on. Both cards have incentive offers for friends or family, so do your parents/family/friends have either card that they can link you to? You'll both get some incentives that way. Discover has an extra $50 statement credit if someone tells you about the card. Chase has the same sign up bonus but your parents/family/friends would get some extra points as a finders fee, so it's just nice to spread the love if you can.

I think the more important thing to remember when starting out, no matter which card you end up with from any issurer, is to treat a CC like a debit card. Generally you don't want to actually leave a balance on the card, whatever you spend that month, pay off that month. And maybe even more important than that, make sure the payments are on time. That's what keeps a good credit score going.

Good luck whichever order you decide on, and maybe you get both!

 

[WVMomof3]

I just want to hang out with a dog and read all day in retirement!

I feel a little guilty saying this, but I feel like this has been my life since March. It started as a necessity almost. With 3 kids at home doing school work and DH home doing work I didn't want to take any wifi, we were having issues with everyone home and I was hiding out in my room because sometimes the sessions would be out in the kitchen, wifi was having a hard time reaching the bedrooms. So I took refuge reading. Summer was better, I wasn't having to dodge as many people, but DH still is on zoom or phone constantly. I can't even do my laundry and vacuum without having to ask first. Driving me crazy! So hiding out reading is just much easier.

 

[Psychodisney]

Happy Friday... I played the fastest 18 holes of golf of my entire life today. Dad and I were first ones on the course at 7:15 this morning. We finished 18 holes by 9:45 in a sweet little 2 1/2 hours! We played the front tees since it makes for a more fun round and shorter (easier) shots so that certainly helps.

Even crazier... it was the best round of golf of my life! I shot a 79!! (For comparison purposes, I typically shoot in the low/mid 90s). 4,800 yards will help that a bit though, compared to a 5,800 yard length I might play when out for work purposes. And I realize this means nothing to most of you... but it was a good day! And it has rained and poured since about 11:30 so that makes me even happier that we snuck in our round!

But... the sad news is I'm sitting here in my Green and White gear...with no football game to attend. They delayed the start of the season by 2 weeks (this was a month ago) but it's still sad to think that this should be the first week of the season.

I had my best round this week too! 101! Sorry about the football. My DD is mourning the loss of her last season of football as a college student. We all are mourning something!

 

[WVMomof3]

I will never again add Target Giftcards to my Target wallet. I can not spend those suckers!! They mess it up every time! I am still trying to spend my $300 one I got with their deal before Christmas. It wasn't such a great deal if I can't spend the dumb thing. This is the first time I have been in Target since March. I have finally bought my DS a few dorm things. Waited till the very last minute because I was not sure they were going to let them live on campus but we got the final word today. Yay. I live in a college town and 30,000 students descended here last week and I think they wiped everything out, so waiting was not a great idea. So many bare shelves, not sure if it was the students or if things are just not getting restocked now. DS is driving me crazy because he wants NOTHING! lol You would think that would make it easier, but come on dude. He would be perfectly happy taking the old ratty dog towels and the current bedding on his bed (that is a queen and not a XL twin, but he would say It is fine. ) I spent a ton of money on his sisters dorm stuff so I should be happy but I know he is going to need some stuff.

 

[mmmears]

I feel a little guilty saying this, but I feel like this has been my life since March. It started as a necessity almost. With 3 kids at home doing school work and DH home doing work I didn't want to take any wifi, we were having issues with everyone home and I was hiding out in my room because sometimes the sessions would be out in the kitchen, wifi was having a hard time reaching the bedrooms. So I took refuge reading. Summer was better, I wasn't having to dodge as many people, but DH still is on zoom or phone constantly. I can't even do my laundry and vacuum without having to ask first. Driving me crazy! So hiding out reading is just much easier.

I know what you mean. A home with a very open floor plan doesn't lend itself well to multiple skype/zoom calls at the same time. It was easier for us when the back yard was another room, but right now with all the smoke we can't use it. DH mostly works from our little office/library, so it's just me and DD who have to try hard to not disturb one another.

 

[Eeyoreparks]

Thank you for your replies @EACarlson & @miztressuz I think I will do a bit more research, but will probably try for the chase card first.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Thank you for your replies @EACarlson & @miztressuz I think I will do a bit more research, but will probably try for the chase card first.

FYI - we have a private group called DISchurners. If you want to join I can set you up. And you could maybe pay it forward to one of your awesome helpers by using a support link when you apply.

If you’re interested in joining just let me know. I’d typically PM this to you but you have to make 10 comments before you can send PMs.

 

[wendow]

Oh I am quite aware of that. I’m considering holding a protest on the hill behind the scoreboard though

Well, we all are seeing that there are no repercussions and it appears to get you what you want so what do you have to lose...

 

[wendow]

I feel a little guilty saying this, but I feel like this has been my life since March. It started as a necessity almost. With 3 kids at home doing school work and DH home doing work I didn't want to take any wifi, we were having issues with everyone home and I was hiding out in my room because sometimes the sessions would be out in the kitchen, wifi was having a hard time reaching the bedrooms. So I took refuge reading. Summer was better, I wasn't having to dodge as many people, but DH still is on zoom or phone constantly. I can't even do my laundry and vacuum without having to ask first. Driving me crazy! So hiding out reading is just much easier.

I can relate. I have 4 kids home and my dh. Between all the zoom meetings my dh has (like all day!) and the zoom college classes (like all day) and trying to homeschool my boys, I feel like we just tip-toe around. I have to schedule vacuuming, laundry, etc. I tend to host a lot of playdates and that has been weird since covid. Not that my friends and I are not getting together. We still are and my house is still the 'party' house but with my dh home, it's gotten so hard because I have to plan around his meetings. It's driving me crazy as well. My dh is loving working from home and as much as I love him, I won't be sad when he is back in the office normally lol.

 

[Sun_soakin]

I can relate. I have 4 kids home and my dh. Between all the zoom meetings my dh has (like all day!) and the zoom college classes (like all day) and trying to homeschool my boys, I feel like we just tip-toe around. I have to schedule vacuuming, laundry, etc. I tend to host a lot of playdates and that has been weird since covid. Not that my friends and I are not getting together. We still are and my house is still the 'party' house but with my dh home, it's gotten so hard because I have to plan around his meetings. It's driving me crazy as well. My dh is loving working from home and as much as I love him, I won't be sad when he is back in the office normally lol.

Don’t count on him going back... I think a lot of us are planning to continue working from home at least part of the time forever. I actually love being home with everyone! We have 4 kids too, so 6 of us on calls all day long. Sometimes it’s a comedy trying to keep the craziness down so someone else’s call doesn’t pick it up, but we’re kinda getting to the point where it doesn’t bother us anymore.

 

[wendow]

Don’t count on him going back... I think a lot of us are planning to continue working from home at least part of the time forever. I actually love being home with everyone! We have 4 kids too, so 6 of us on calls all day long. Sometimes it’s a comedy trying to keep the craziness down so someone else’s call doesn’t pick it up, but we’re kinda getting to the point where it doesn’t bother us anymore.

I know my dh is home through Oct. He works for a college and they really want people back in the office. His boss hates WFH. I think as soon as our governor lifts some of the restrictions, his work will quickly move people back. My neighbors say they will likely never go back. Their companies are happy to have everyone working from home and are taking this opportunity to move this forward. My dh is pretty jealous of that cause, again, his boss (she’s the CFO) wants everyone back ASAP.

 

[pinkxray]

Dh was just approved for the Chase Freedom Unlimited! He is a very rarely open to open to new cards so I’m not even sure if he has a Chase login. I know he had a SW card in 2010 so I would think he should? Guess I’ll figure it out when I get the card.

Im looking to get myself a new card but don’t have any direction right now. I was hoping to do Hawaii in 2022 but DH wants to hold off until the kids are older. Since we will need to bank and borrow our dvc points that will push us back to 2024.

I think I need to start looking outside of Chase and Amex.

 

[Alexle2007]

Dh was just approved for the Chase Unlimited! He is a very rarely open to open to new cards so I’m not even sure if he has a Chase login. I know he had a SW card in 2010 so I would think he should? Guess I’ll figure it out when I get the card.

Im looking to get myself a new card but don’t have any direction right now. I was hoping to do Hawaii in 2022 but DH wants to hold off until the kids are older. Since we will need to bank and borrow our dvc points that will push us back to 2024.

I think I need to start looking outside of Chase and Amex.

Congrats! I think he is the first business approval from Chase we have seen in a long time. Did you do sole proprietor with his SSN?

 

[pinkxray]

Congrats! I think he is the first business approval from Chase we have seen in a long time. Did you do sole proprietor with his SSN?

I must need more coffee before posting. No business card for DH. Just the personal Chase Freedom Unlimited. Sorry to get hopes up.

 

[havaneselover]

DD is sitting for the SAT this morning! Last week we learned she had convergence insufficiency and needs vision therapy (they told us there's an 18 month wait list for the therapy). Her prism glasses came in yesterday so I hope they help her because reading gives her headaches. And of course there was a half marathon around the high school and she kept getting re-routed but finally made it!

And my week with her was like this: Sunday--she's applying ED to UVA
Monday--she thinks she wants to go to Purdue
Tuesday & Wednesday--VA Tech or bust

I hope she figures this out soon!

 

[elgerber]

Well I should be leaving right now for my first time in First Class, in lie flat seats for our 30th anniversary in Hawaii. Instead we are heading out to pick up our RV rental and head to the covid exploding state of South Dakota LOL! Still excited to be going, we will just not be doing anything indoors and hoping we can social distance in some of the more popular outdoor spots.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

I can relate. I have 4 kids home and my dh. Between all the zoom meetings my dh has (like all day!) and the zoom college classes (like all day) and trying to homeschool my boys, I feel like we just tip-toe around. I have to schedule vacuuming, laundry, etc. I tend to host a lot of playdates and that has been weird since covid. Not that my friends and I are not getting together. We still are and my house is still the 'party' house but with my dh home, it's gotten so hard because I have to plan around his meetings. It's driving me crazy as well. My dh is loving working from home and as much as I love him, I won't be sad when he is back in the office normally lol.

Don’t you dare wish a return to the office on your husband!!! WFH 4 Life!!!!!

 

[elgerber]

I should also add, we are so glad we decided to rent the RV! Having to stay in hotels and eat out every meal in South Dakota would make me nervous. Now we can stay in or own bubble the whole time

 

[Psychodisney]

I can relate. I have 4 kids home and my dh. Between all the zoom meetings my dh has (like all day!) and the zoom college classes (like all day) and trying to homeschool my boys, I feel like we just tip-toe around. I have to schedule vacuuming, laundry, etc. I tend to host a lot of playdates and that has been weird since covid. Not that my friends and I are not getting together. We still are and my house is still the 'party' house but with my dh home, it's gotten so hard because I have to plan around his meetings. It's driving me crazy as well. My dh is loving working from home and as much as I love him, I won't be sad when he is back in the office normally lol.

My DH has worked from home for the last 25 years. I used to be so excited when I'd hear him get in the shower first thing, because that meant he was going to see a customer and leaving the house! It was never fun to keep the kids or the dog quiet, limit playdates, or schedule vacuuming. But, it gave him the flexibility to coach our kids baseball and soccer teams and so much more.