Trying to improve my credit score?

I see this question a lot on here and I know the basics of credit. I realize I need to pay on time, have a good limit to outstanding ratio, etc. I currently have a card with a 3000 limit and have about 60% of it free. I had to use this credit card to pay off my last year of college tuition at the last minute. (i know it was stupid but pretty much had to be done) I have a good payment history but missed one payment a year and a half ago while I was unemployed. My credit score is even in the low 700s (while not great, most would say it is decent). Unfortunately, I cannot get approved for another card or even a retail store card because they say I only have this one card to go on. So I am trying to open up a new account to try and extend my credit limit and establish an even better score. I do not need to use the new card, or old one for that matter as I am in the military and have secure income, etc. I will have my current card paid off by December or sooner. Any tips? I have looked into secured credit cards and loans. Any other ideas for better credit in my particular situation? Yea, my current card IS a capital one card which started out as a low limit (300) card and I worked myself up to that 3000 through high school and college. Then had to max it out my final year of school as mentioned. In just over a year I have reduced it significantly to where I only have about 1000 left. Unfortunately, lenders do not take this in to account from everything I have read.

5 months ago - 2 answers