I just realized my 'good credit' move was actually tanking my score
I've been putting a $500 car payment on my credit card every month for the points, thinking I was smart. My score dropped 40 points and a loan officer in Charlotte finally told me my utilization was way too high. How do you guys handle big regular bills without messing up your credit?
Damn, been there with the utilization trap. Honestly, just set up autopay from your checking account for that car payment and save the card for smaller stuff you can pay off instantly. It's a pain, but it fixes the score way faster than you'd think.
Totally get it, I used to put my rent on a card for points. My score took a hit just like yours. @colegarcia is right, moving that big bill to autopay from your bank is the fix. It took about two billing cycles for my score to bounce back after I stopped.