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First question I got is Does the CBS Online Store allow you to use Debit Discover Card for a payment? Thanks for any answer. Another question... I doubt it's something a CCC will jump all over, but I figure it's worth a try right?.

My current balance on my Discover credit card is $1900, and I pay $200 a month towards it (sometimes $250)....

Still, the finanace charges on it are around $25-30 a month, which is a sizeable dent into what I'm paying. I remember my sixth grade math teacher telling us "never, ever get into a situation where you can only afford the minimum payment on your credit card; once that happens, they've got you by the balls". My minimum payment is ~$40-45... if I was only making the minimum, that's a good ~60-75% of my payment going directly into the trash can. Yuck!.

Obviously paying (with Discover card) $200-$250/mo is paying (with Discover card) it down aggressively - but I'm still "wasting" $30 a month on finance charges..

I would like a lower APR than my current 18.99%, but I'm not sure Discover will view that as a "wise" choice, considering they're just making money on the higher APR....

The alternative to this is opening a new card with my CU (I joined ~1 month ago) and BTing the $1900 over. However, I'm not sure I want to do that just yet, as I'm not 100% satisfied with my credit reports just yet....

A) 30 day late in 2007, I probably can't get rid of....

Paid collection... DOFD in 2004, think I paid in 2007... really hard time with this one....

I pulled EQ and TU in November... my TU score was 702, and has zero inquiries. Only two baddies are what's listed above..

My EQ report is basically identical to my TU report, but the score was 669. EQ is also showing some lates from 2003 (1 30, 1 60, 1 90)... I doubt they mean anything at this point. EQ is also showing zero inquiries..

I haven't checked my EX report in a long time, but I'm pretty sure it's right around where EQ is....

Current open accounts are....

Two student loans with a $140 balance on each... never late..

Discover Card: 1900 balance, 3600 credit limit.

CrapOne: 0 Balance, 1250 credit limit.

HSBC: 0 balance, 300 credit limit (Got CLD without notice, probably for non-usage).

Overall, I think my credit is fairly decent, but I'm not sure I'll get the best card just yet... which is why I think I should hold off on applying with my CU..

Thoughts on all this?..

asked Mar 05 at 11:53

Madeleine
's gravatar image

Madeleine
42


Yes sir! but you might wanna make sure and wait for someone else here to confirm this as I am not quite sure. Better yet, why don't you give a call to the Discover Card guys because they can answer you better...

answered Mar 05 at 12:48

Matteo's gravatar image

Matteo
218

You can certainly try it. I did it just over a year ago with Citibank and ended up not only with a lower APR but reversed the ratejacking they sent me..

Of course that was a year ago and between then and now a lot has happened so it might not be so easy to pull off...

answered Mar 05 at 13:21

Jasmin
's gravatar image

Jasmin
3761

Try it not much of an impact to your credit score to apply for a Discover card ~3 times per year. My guess is that you will not be approved because your credit score is below 720....

At the same time, you are paying (with Discover card) down your debt very aggressively and every month your finance charges are MUCH less than the previous month so it does not seem worth the hassle so that you save $50 when all is said and done..

Just remember not to close your Discover card after you pay your balance to zero just do not use it again..

answered Mar 05 at 13:56

Viviana
's gravatar image

Viviana
1916

Huh?.

While lenders do consider an applicant's scores, there is typically not a 720 requirement for approval, higher scores may get a better offer- yes..

BT or PIF if possible, to avoid wasting cash on fees. one of my CU has a 1.9 no fee BT, find one that has a good BT offer if your current CU doesn't and ideally you'll be done with high APR balances forever more..

This post has been edited by.

Savetherobots.

: 28 December 2009 - 09:14 AM..

answered Mar 05 at 15:18

Lilah
's gravatar image

Lilah
2011

Got a random call from Discover this morning at 9:30 am (they woke me up)..

The call was to simply ask how everything was going, and if there was anything they could do. I asked for a lower APR, and it was granted, albeit only to 16.99% (down from 18.99%)....

Then they asked me to keep using my card..

Discover is still my favorite CCC to deal with, but I basically use it to buy "bigger things" that I don't want to buy all at once (like my new mattress). For day to day purchases, I just pay cash or debit. Rent and bills are paid by check...

answered Mar 05 at 16:02

Isabel
's gravatar image

Isabel
832

Don't underestimate the power of store cards. We bought our mattress at Macy's at 0%. Our TV at circuit city at 0%. Our family room furniture at Wickes for 0%. In the next few months we'll add a washer and dryer at 0% from Best Buy. Store cards are a good deal with big purchases if you have the mindset to pay them off in time.



Regarding your CU question, I'd first find out whether your CU has a BT option and what the fee will be. You have to do the math on any potential fee vs. the interest you expect to pay. I think there are a few online calculators that can help answer this question for you. If your CU offers you a better deal, I don't think you lose a lot by applying now...

answered Mar 05 at 17:28

Kayden's gravatar image

Kayden
4442

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