I had to pick between a $300 secured card or a $99 fee card to fix my 580 score.

I went with the secured card and after six months of paying on time, my score jumped to 635, so has anyone else had to make a call like that with a really low starting point?

3 comments

3 Comments

webb.linda1mo ago

Yeah, starting from a 580 is rough. My buddy had a similar choice with a crazy high fee card. He took the secured route too, built it up slow and steady. It just takes time but it works.

david_butler541mo ago

Used to hate that idea, but it really does work.

piper_lopez19d ago

The slow and steady part is the hardest for people to accept. Everyone wants that instant jump to a 750, but secured cards just don't work that way. You're basically proving to the bank that you won't screw up with a tiny limit before they trust you with a bigger one. Time and consistency are the only shortcuts that actually exist here.