Will better deals come in?

ooitsme

I’ve been self-employed for the last 7 years and then a student nurse for the last 3. I’ve got to the end of that road and will be starting a permanent post in September. My credit file is fine with no missed payments, but I’ve ran up a lot of credit cards during my time studying (I’m in my late 40’s btw and single). 

I’ve never had access to credit cards through banks etc, it’s all the lower credit type. 

I can make the payments, and am going to pay them down as quickly as I can, but it will take about a year. 

I was just wondering, now that I’m employed, are these better offers with 0% periods likely to start coming in? 

Nasqueron

You build up a credit file like a profile on a dating app - you need to be attractive to lenders. Being on the electoral register, a mobile phone contract, a basic credit builder card used to buy food every month and pay off in full, that shows you are a responsible borrower. 

If you have credit cards with a balance and paying interest, it indicates you are living beyond your means (regardless of circumstances, even when it's through necessity) so the lenders don't want to risk lending money (be it loans or credit card) knowing you may struggle to pay back, meaning they could fall foul of responsible lending rules.

Have you tried an eligibility checker like the MSE one to see if you have the chance of a 0% card?

born_again

ooitsme said:

I’ve been self-employed for the last 7 years and then a student nurse for the last 3. I’ve got to the end of that road and will be starting a permanent post in September. My credit file is fine with no missed payments, but I’ve ran up a lot of credit cards during my time studying (I’m in my late 40’s btw and single). 

I’ve never had access to credit cards through banks etc, it’s all the lower credit type. 

I can make the payments, and am going to pay them down as quickly as I can, but it will take about a year. 

I was just wondering, now that I’m employed, are these better offers with 0% periods likely to start coming in? 

If you update your details with banks etc, then they may.

Do you have any outstanding debt on your cards?