jasonhc73

I just got an email from Credit Karma indicateing that they provide the Vantage Score now also. Unfortunately I cannot find it anywhere on the site. 

Since 1100 really is a low amount, I would not consolidate it. If you can pay them online, then do that. But only if you can do it by not making it automatic, so they just don't take the money. Another way is online bill pay. I have a bill that I pay this way. It works like this: I put in the name of the company, the address, and the amount to pay. My bank then sends them a check, just as though I sent them a check directly. It is not direct draft and I can control exactly how much to send and when. 

I pay my CC off every month and have a Zero utilization on my Karma utilization. I also have 31 sources of credit. What seams to make the most difference on my score is that amount of credit inquiries. As I no longer seek credit, every month the inquiry count goes down and my score goes up. Since you have just 500 of available credit, I'm assuming you are new to credit. Being new will always have a lower score. I recommend that you do not attempt to try to get more credit just so you can have more credit score. More credit score comes with time, period. Do your best to always pay off your credit card every month and keep a zero balance. Pay with cash or debit. More credit offers will come and you will get higher scores, month after month.

Your credit reports shows exactly what they are reporting. It's that simple. If you don't have your report there are 100's of ways of getting it free. Keep up the good work and pay down that dept. Use your debit card, and pay cash as much as possible. If you have to keep a credit card, just keep one, and cut up the rest. You don't have to close them, just don't use them. If you do have any cards with a fee of any kind, then dump them.  Remember to never miss a payment! I have never understood a debt management company. Debt is simple. Pay what you owe! If you owe, don't buy more!