We all have goals and dreams of things that we want to achieve when we see them. It is contingent on good credit history and our ability to secure it. Look into all of your options and maintain a good standing with your creditors in order to be able to do whatever it is that you need to do and get whatever it is that you want out of life.
Yes you can survive without having credit. However this is a challenge that many do not want to face and are unable to face. This is where you need to decide how it is that you want to fund those needs and desires that you have. Check your excellent credit history and determine which the best route is for you to take in regards to finding out which will benefit you the most.
Step 1. According to Evelyn Chase, a Denver-based CPA and personal finance consultant, as with any type of problem or illness, the first step toward implementing a cure is identifying the fact that there is a problem with your credit.
If your credit problems are a result of something beyond your control, such as catastrophic illness, job loss, etc, there may be nothing to admit you will need to find good credit card deals to get yourself back in the loop.
If your damaged credit is a result of behavior, you may need to seek credit counseling to provide you with good credit history. For those who have created problems due to undisciplined behavior, lack of caring or bad record keeping, the first step is taking responsibility for your actions with your bad credit.
Whatever the reason for your bad credit, and depending on how serious your credit problems are, it will take time to establish a good credit history. If you have slightly damaged credit, with only a few late payments, you may be able to bring your accounts up to date and improve your credit with good credit card deals in just a few months.
On the other hand, issues such as judgments, bankruptcies and foreclosures are likely to remain on your bad credit file for years to come (seven to 10 years in most cases). Despite this, you can begin to reverse their impact with credit card deals and within a few short years see your history much improved and your credit scores rise considerably.
The next step is to obtain and review your credit report from each of the three national credit bureaus in order determine if the information that they have is accurate in regards to your poor credit. Any information that is not accurate should be immediately reported to the national credit bureau that is reporting the information giving you bad credit.
Next, you need to focus on the negative information you believe should not be on your bad credit report to ensure it is completely accurate. "Negative information will hurt your report one way or another, but it still needs to be accurate," says Chase.
"What you want to focus on is making sure that a paid charge-off or other such debt that you paid off is so noted - if not, the 'paid' status needs to be updated to accurately reflect where the account stands currently."
According to Chase, you may find that some of the information, while accurate, is dated and legally should not be in your credit report. Whatever you do or don't find, she suggests you do exercise your right to add a 100-word explanation for any problem account that is listed in your report, ensuring that those people requesting your bad credit history report will also get a copy of your statement.
Step 2. Now comes the tough part - dedicating yourself to the plan of tightening the belt and using patience. The first step in this portion requires either paying off or paying down your outstanding debt, especially any debt that is past due. Unpaid debts are among the most damaging items on your bad credit report, so this is an important step in the process.
Determine a realistic payment schedule that will allow you to begin repaying late debt while continuing to maintain a positive status with those creditors with whom you are still have good credit card deals. You'll learn that most lenders and collection agencies will work with you to set up a regular payment plan. Once you set up a plan, do everything you can to make all credit payments on time. Keep in mind that whether your plan calls for repayment over several months or several years, this is the most critical aspect of reestablishing your excellent credit, so you have to remain diligent during this time.
Once you are on track with your payments, you'll want to eventually open credit card deals on new accounts to help in the process. To do so you will probably need to apply and compare credit cards or small loan from your bank, credit union or a local department store for credit card deals. Explain about your bad credit problems, but that you want to improve your bad credit history.
If you're turned down, continue this route which is to apply for the best secured credit card deals which generally require a deposit that will act as your credit line. Using a secured credit card regularly and paying it off "in full" can lead to a traditional line of credit card deals. Once the bank or credit union realizes that you are able to maintain your best secured credit card deals account, they may offer to you credit card deals with a fair interest rate.
Another option is to ask someone with good credit to co-sign for credit card deals or small loan. Whether you go the secured way or use a co-signer, you should recheck your credit report somewhere after a year of establishing the new accounts. This will ensure all information is accurate and up to date. You also might want to go ahead and apply for a non-secured card or a loan on your own if you were previously turned down.
You can continue to improve your bad credit report by limiting the amount of credit you want, limiting the amount of available credit you use and always paying your bills.
There are no tricks or quick remedies when it comes to reestablishing your credit, despite what many credit repair agencies state. The reality is that it simply takes time and discipline. After a relatively short period of time demonstrating that you take your credit card deals seriously and can be trusted, potential creditors will begin to take notice of you.
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