Paid off all my credit card debts.. now what?

Not really sure what you are asking to be honest. Becuase you have credit cards, you already have been establishing a credit history. Just make small charges and pay off your balance in full to avoid racking up more debt again and your credit score will increase and you will be better off in the long run.

are you asking what you should do with your 17k?

depends on what you want to do over the next few years. are you thinking about going out on your own and buying your own place? are you going to graduate soon?

yes. worry about your credit scores at this stage, because when the homes and cars and other large purchases come, you'll need that good credit score.

im asking what to do with the credit cards. how to further improve my credit score. Advices on what to do with the 17k too lol

Yes im planning to graduate soon in about an year and not thinking about buying my own house at the moment since I'm basically living with my brother and I can help him with rent.

Use your credit cards for regular purchases and pay off the balance in full each month.

Some good rules of thumb on credit cards:
-Try not to exceed spending 50% of your limit, that is if your limit is $3,000, dont spend more than $1,500 (it's ok to go over once in a while, just a general rule that will for sure help your credit score)
-pay it off every month in full
-if you get rewards on your credit card, be sure to max those out while following rule #1. So if you get 2% back on gas, just buy all your gas with that card..it's free money!
-keep them open and keep using them (unless they cost you an annual fee, there are plenty of great cards with no fee)

The most important rule:
-treat your credit as if it's money in your wallet. Spend what you can afford, don't go back into credit card debt. Save ahead of time, then spend.

Nice work getting out of debt though, that's a lot harder than it sounds to most people.

With your 17k:
-if your brother is married, move the hell out...they probably don't want you there
-otherwise, keep your savings balanced, emergencies happen.

Just my .02!

Quote from zarfus : Some good rules of thumb on credit cards: -Try not to exceed spending 50% of your limit, that is if your limit is $3,000, dont spend more than $1,500 (it's ok to go over once in a while, just a general rule that will for sure help your credit score) -pay it off every month in full -if you get rewards on your credit card, be sure to max those out while following rule #1. So if you get 2% back on gas, just buy all your gas with that card..it's free money! -keep them open and keep using them (unless they cost you an annual fee, there are plenty of great cards with no fee) The most important rule: -treat your credit as if it's money in your wallet. Spend what you can afford, don't go back into credit card debt. Save ahead of time, then spend. Nice work getting out of debt though, that's a lot harder than it sounds to most people. With your 17k: -if your brother is married, move the hell out...they probably don't want you there -otherwise, keep your savings balanced, emergencies happen. Just my .02!

I believe the optimal limit is 30%
http://www.bankrate.com/financing...carefully/
http://articles.moneycentral.msn....Cards.aspx

Quote from PiratesSayARRR : I believe the optimal limit is 30% http://www.bankrate.com/financing...carefully/ http://articles.moneycentral.msn....Cards.aspx

only sometimes. in other instances, it's 75% or 67% or 40% or 35% or 33% or 25% or 20% or 10% or 7% or...???

http://www.creditscoring.com/cred...dvice.html

Thank you guys for the replies!

Time to make it rain with Pac-man and Lil Wayne.

Quote from wilsont06 : Hello, I turned 23 recently and I paid off 7 grand of my credit card debt yesterday. I saved about 17k in cash with my job previously (still deciding how to grow it), not working at the moment and still in college with no real liabilities. I live with my brother and he takes care of the utilities and rent. I only have to worry about gym membership and my phone bill which adds up to 100 a month. Any suggestions on what to do with the credit cards? I have two and they are both turning 6 year old. Should I be worrying about my credit history at this stage in life?

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Hey man.. this is great for you, congrats! Don't get back into debt!

Quote from sd99 : Time to make it rain with Pac-man and Lil Wayne.

This is what I was thinking!

Help your brother out. It's expensive when someone lives with you..extra food, extra utilities/trashbags/shampoo/whatever...

Surprise him by paying off one of his bills and show him that you appreciate him being there for you.

As far as the CC's go, cancel the ones that charge a ridiculous annual fee, but hang on to the others. Length of credit history makes a big difference on your score. You need at least 3-4 open lines of credit that are in good standing, but they prefer that those accounts be in different categories. (ie: 2 credit cards, 1 car loan, 1 student loan, 1 small signature loan, etc.)