Well, if I might suggest, try to NOT finance that next car.
Get your stupid credit cards paid off, then try to save up money so that you can buy that next car with good old fashioned bank money orders or cashier’s checks.
Seriously, if you’re 3-5 years off from the next time you need to apply for credit, just go whole hog into paying off your debt and minimizing your interest.
No one is ever grateful that they able to pay their creditors more interest.
I saw an article once a few years ago in the depths of the current depression - that suggested a change in pattern which included things like suddenly charging groceries on a credit card was seen as a warning sign - this person is incapable of paying cash (or debit) for necessities like groceries. Cards were being cancelled for people who had been regular reliable customers, simply based on warning signals.
OTOH, is there anyone who does NOT use credit cards for gas? I can’t see that being a minus.
Funny thing, I started using a credit card for minor grocery purchases when the local super-grocery-store put in self-scan stations, but unlike the previous installation down the road, they don’t take cash. My bank charges 50 cents a debit transaction so I figure the credit card is simpler to use.
Of course, if I had an American score, eh, I hope it would be pretty high, since I have a HELOC with almost $200K in room on it and a credit card with a $22,000 limit that I pay off every month.
I think it would be the in-bank systems that did most of the tracking of changing spending patterns.
That is to say, a given bank might change your limit or kill your card for doing that, but your credit score itself won’t change.
I’m pretty sure your individual purchases don’t show up when your credit report is pulled.
But would the fact that the bank(s) cancelled your credit card for whatever internal reason impact your score (beyond the fact your available credit is lower?) Do they report also about the process anything that might matter?
I’m on a 2-wk free trial as we speak. I got it to keep watch whether my credit was being checked for a scholarship which I’ve applied for–checked credit from the organization is a good sign you’re going to get the scholarship. Obsessive, yeah, but, I’m working on my credit anyway.
They do have an analyzer tool where you can choose an action from a drop-down box, like for instance, “Pay off all my debt,” or “take out a new line of credit,” or “reduce each account by $___…” It’s pretty nifty…it says if I pay off my debt, my score will drop like 10 points. I guess it will bounce back up later. Not that I could pay it off now anyway. ha!
Not sure why my credit is in the low 500’s to low 600’s range…I thought for sure the judgement against me. But that’s not even showing up on there! It’s old.
That’s what I intend to do. One more headache learning all about the thing. But in the long run, it will help. I’m pretty controlled about my spending. If you could recommend a good one…did someone say that *their dog *could get a CapitolOne? 
Beings the gas is already being bought with a debit card, she may just do that!:rolleyes: lol
Well, it looks like I am all set up to make some improvements on my credit situation, now that you’ve pointed it out to me. I just added the article to my favorites.
The last one *might *apply…I *knowI *paid off that Verizon bill, yet there it is!
Well, it’s official. I need to have a pen and paper when I get on this board, to take notes.
I have not had a chance to read over the entire page yet, but will return tonight after the meeting I must attend.
Thanks for the help All.
Am about to get a secured credit card, will use it to pay bills and pay down accounts only, and watch and wait for my score to go up.
THanks for all the help!!
Welcome!
Good luck.