Can I just have a little boast (really little) about my credit

[CreditKarm]

Messed up my credit big time in my early 20s. Bad situation. Catalogues etc...

My credits been in double figures most of my 30s.

I decided to pay everything off and try and sort all my 'red markers'

Today the last red marker left my account and my credit has gone from 150 last year and poor to '520 and fair'

I know I still have alot of work to do but I've got no debts. I've got all payments upto date.
I managed to get a credit card for the first time ever, I'm utilising the credit at 20% and paying it off fully each month to avoid any interest.

I'm not sure what my next move should be. I think I'll carry on with my credit card for another 4-6 months and then maybe apply for a 2nd credit thing? Maybe a mobile over 12 months?

Would that be a good move? I will never, ever open a catalogue again, I know that much.

Well done OP, that's great.

Why do you want more credit?

That's amazing. Well-done you!

Using it carefully can help to build your credit score

You are amazing OP - proof what can be done if you are determined. (I'm working hard to get my finances on a more sustainable footing after a really awful divorce & ongoing abuse, so positive stories like this are great to read).

I wouldn't go for a second credit card unless you are sure you've got a hold on them and certainly don't open it until the 6 months is up from the previous one.
Are there other things that you can do like going on the electoral role? Maintaining a longstanding bill, so making sure you don't switch providers however your water provider is unlikely to change so that normally takes care of that.

If you want to take out a phone I recommend a Nokia smart phone outright (they are great) around £150 which won't impact your credit but then take an ID mobile SIM out on contract for £4.50 or similar a month. This far more manageable than £30+ a month for the newest iPhone or similar.

Thankyou.

I'm on the electro role, though only moved in 8 months ago so it's showing as an amber impact, I was in my previous home 20 years.

I don't need the credit card, I live quite frugally, so am just putting something around £50/100 a month then paying it off in one go.

I'm not big on technology so may do that with the phone, I'm not fussed about fancy. I have a 5 year old Huawei, 😂

Remember to only buy it if you need it. Unless you are intending to go for a mortgage soon play the long game, you've done the hard part now you just have to wait for it to do it's own job.

I forgot to say on my last post - well done, it really is an achievement to have gotten yourself out of a financial mess, you should be proud of yourself

Thanks ☺️

I do need a new phone really. This one has been glitch for about a year now.

I think to keep building credit you need to use it?

I'm not in danger of getting in a bad place.
I was very young when I messed it up first time round and under the influence of a not very nice man who convinced me to buy him things in the 'never never' and I relied on catalogues for everything.

I won't touch one now and have savings and a furnished home, so I'm not worried about that.

I'm a much different person.