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Need help repairing credit/resolvind debt and collections

Date: Thu, 10/01/2009 - 13:25

Submitted by Stefini Young
on Thu, 10/01/2009 - 13:25

Posts: Credits: [Donate]

Total Replies: 1


Hey everyone. I am new here and am hoping to get some much needed credit help. To make a long story short...young, very stupid and made a lot of mistakes over the past few years. I took my credit rating for granted (never really understood how much bad credit can effect you) and I got myself into a big mess. So, now I have decided to finally grow up and be responsible for my actions...it's been a long, hard and expensive lesson to learn. I recently sold my car (one of the many mistakes I had made) and have been putting the monthly payment ($650 -- unfortunately, it was not some high end sports car) towards existing debts. I am just looking for more help on which debts I should start paying now and which ones may be more beneficial to pay sooner to help my credit. I know credit repair is a long process but I would like to atleast get moving in the right direction so in a few years I am able to be that person I envy so much with a good credit score and a manageable budget.

I am not sure what information would be most helpful, I am willing to post my credit report (personal information deleted, of course) if that will allow me to get the best advice. Most of the accounts are collections =(

Any help is much appreciated.


Hello Stefini,

I commend you on your resolve to sell your car and apply those payments toward your debt. I don't think you should be posting your credit report in a public forum, even if your personal info is deleted. It sounds like with the addition of your car payment you can probably take advantage of a debt snowball strategy to minimize the amount and time to pay off your debt. If your only focus is paying down the debt as quickly as possible, then simply list all of your debts and the interest rates. I recommend that you pay the minimums on all of them but the one with the highest rate. Apply all extra money to the one with the highest rate and then move down from there. Just do a google search for Debt Snowball and you will be able to find many detailed explanations of exactly how to do it.

Of course without seeing your entire financial picture I cannot get into further detail at this time. You may have other debts that are not unsecured consumer debts that would also need to be factored into the equation. Also you may have older accounts in collections or behind in payments that need to be taken into consideration when looking at your situation with an eye on getting the biggest bang for your buck in terms of raising your fico.

If your number one goal is to raise your fico and not simply to get out of debt, then you will probably want to modify the snowball strategy and instead of working on one debt until it is paid off, then just pay it down to about 30% and move on to the next one.

Hope that gives you some initial help.


lrhall41

Submitted by Damon on Thu, 10/01/2009 - 19:45

( Posts: 80 | Credits: )