Hi all!!! i've been lurking this forum for quite some time and finally decided to post a few things now that i know how the board works and what NOT to do...so to start it out allow me to introduce myself and my CS lol
firstly, like alot of people i've read i entered my mid-20s abusing my credit score, not caring, had a few CAP1 cards i maxed out and let go to the gutter, went on my credit, bad relatioships, divorce--yes all in my 20s LOL. finally i got to a point where i said enough was enough and when i moved to a more stable foundation away from the drama of my past..things started looking up...
fast forwarding...my lowest ever score was 437 in early 2000s (yikes!) always got denied for everything as you can imagine..after i met my (now) wife in 2013 i saw how disciplined she was financially and she is 6 years younger than me and has a lower paying job it made me want to do better. ever since that day (3 years ago) i am doing much better because....
i monitor my CS with CK (i know its not as accurate but at least i have a foundation to build upon..) well i disputed alot of inaccuracies and it bumped me a few points up..after years of denials i got approved for lane bryant and added as authorized user on my wife's VS card..
fast forwarding to last week i got approved for Credit One..yes, CREDIT ONE..i've read the awfuls..but honestly, i needed to start somewhere and they are giving me a chance...i got a letter from my bank (boa) and was 'preselected' for the $99 deposit for $500 CL. applied today....
BOOM APPROVED!!!!!! 
im so so happy to now have 2 cards until my belt to raise my scores! ...and my wife has the same (Credit One--she has a few baddies on there from her past before we met & her parents used her credit when she was young etc... and BoA approved her for the same partially secured).
anyways.im so happy and i thank you all for your post and this community because it has helped me so much.
now that you have a glimpse into my world...questions ..
1) should i wait a few months to have usage and payments under my name with these cards before i try for other cards?
2) is there an certain score/criteria needed for an Airline card (American Advantage or Southwest--> i travel alot for work and have many miles built up on both and want to take advantage of thier airline cards)
my ultimate goal is to be in the 700 club by next year and have us in tip top shape when we start house hunting in 2018 (we are giving ourselves 2 years to rebuild together)
my present CK scores are TU 575 EQ 588 as of 6/17/2016//lowest ever was .437
current cards: lane bryant ($250), Victoria Secret {authorized user} ($300), Credit One $300, and BofA partial secured $500