I thought I would write a little bit about what it took me to get to where I am today. I think before you can get somewhere you have to know where you're coming from...so I will post a few of my early posts so people can understand how I got started. Here are some early quotes:



03/10/2005


03/28/2005



March 29th, 2005



That gives you an idea of how I started out. Wide-eyed and excited to get my life back together. I spent a month just reading the newbie forum and this forum before I finally had the nerve to start attacking the negatives. I had them all. You name it they were on my reports at some point. Companies like:

Allied Collections (2)
Berks Credit and Collections
Central Credit Audit
IC Systems (2)
Collection Company of America (3)
Certified Recovery
Arrow Financial Services (2)
OSI
Gulf State Credit
Sherman Acquisitions (2)
CompuCredit
Collection Service Center

Charge-offs (Paid and Unpaid)
Structure/WFNNB
Verizon (3)
Bank/Checking
Fairlane Credit
SST
Aspire Visa

Public Record
Satisfied Judgement from 1999

I spent the last 5 years paying cash for everything and living in really small apartments in "not-so-nice" neighborhoods. My scores were horrible including a low point in 2002 with a 390 TU score. I had to buy a car in the Bronx that barely ran but was basic transportation so it worked for me. I was alone and believed there was nothing I could do to fix my credit. It came to a boiling point in 2004 when I was told by a realtor that my credit was "embarrassing" and that there was nothing she could do to get me into a home...at least for another 4 or 5 years. I had had it. I had 3 credit cards by then...and my total revolving line of credit was about 1500 bucks(when I started I had the $300 Merrick Secured, the $250 First Premier and a $500 HH card...that was the existence of my positive TL's). So I made a New Year's resolution to do what I could to repair my credit. I looked at CCCS and attorneys and BK and those PDF's you can download that offer to "improve your score in 7 days!" and I read everything but nothing seemed to make sense. I didn't want to throw good money after bad and I am a very independent person so I wanted to find a way to do this myself.

Enter CB...

I didn't know what to make of this place at first. I kept looking at people's signatures and reading the posts of people that had WORSE credit than I did and were able to improve it to the point where they were actually picking out what credit cards they wanted and were getting instantly approved. I didn't believe this could ever happen to me...but I was hooked after reading some of the other people's success stories. So I went to work. I lived in the newbie forum and the letters forum for a month before I got the nerve to start posting. I signed up at the end of February and started asking questions. On March 7th I received my credit reports for the first time in a long while. On March 13th I signed up at MyFICO and PrivacyGuard and started pulling daily tri-merge reports. I opted out and after receiving my first reports directly from the CRA's I disputed all the outdated personal info. TU and EQ were quick to oblige, EX of course wasn't, but I wasn't deterred. I also signed up for EQ Score Watch after finding out I could track an actual FICO score. I wanted to know everything. My first SW update was a DROP of 5 points. My first TU FICO change was 2 new collections added and a 40 point score drop. I knew I had awaken some sleeping dogs and they were coming after me and I had to fight back. I did.

I went with an initial dispute and saw immediate results. I disputed ALL negatives as NOT MINE on each of my reports at the same time. I invested in PDF maker software so I could print and save PDF's of my reports whenever I pulled online. I bought an accordian file and set up files for each bureau. The results were 5 deletions from TU, 4 deletions from EQ and 4 deletions from EX. My scores jumped up a bunch. I had a 101 pt increase from EQ after successfully getting a C/O installment and an unpaid collection off on my 2nd dispute. If you do a search my post is still around here from that day. I was so psyched. My scores were starting to creep into the 600's. I was seeing B and even though I was still getting denied for most cards I knew it was only a matter of time. If I kept plugging away one bad TL at a time I knew I could get something. Then June 7th, 2005 happened.

I wanted to get engaged in the worst way and didn't have the credit to afford a ring that I wanted to get for my to-be DW. I had applied in the past at Kay and been denied. Well after I had gotten the majority of the negatives off I figured what the heck...Kay seems to be the easiest to get when you're rebuilding so I gave it a shot. Approved: $3000 (upped to $4000 in store) with a TU FICO of 634. I practically fainted! I was able to go to Kay and purchase a $7500 ring (I paid half cash/half credit) and got engaged to the love of my life. That same day I felt so good about my accomplishment I decided to go to the one place I thought I could never go to for an approval, American Express.

AMEX to me was the highest point. They were the epicenter of good credit. They were "forbidden fruit." NO way could I ever possibly hope to be approved for an American Express card. Well I had applied for Blue and Blue Cash and been denied in the past so I read and read and read every AMEX thread I could find. I kept reading that Green was the easiest to get. I had seen in the Credit Approved thread one person had been approved for Green with a 651 score so I went for it. I held my breath waiting for the denial within 60 seconds.......APPROVED! You will receive the card in 7-10 days. I was floored. I was approved for an AMEX! I couldn't wait for that card to show up. When it did I was so proud to show it off! I had an AMEX. I had reached a peak in my credit journey. I was psyched! Then 2 weeks later...less than 4 days after I had gotten the card, I read about AMEX credit products.

I had read about the "Delta" card and how someone wanted to know if they would be approved with a 670 score. Well I had a 671 by then (6/21/05) on TU so I figured well I'll give it a shot and report back. Instant approval 10K! I went back and reported how I had gotten a Delta SkyPOINTS card with a 10,000 limit instantly. The OP said "Thanks Cloak but I was wondering about the SkyMILES card." I didn't even know there was more than one Delta card! I went back and said "well I will apply for the one the OP was looking for and see what happens." I got the 7-10 day message and expected a denial. In fact I read another thread about the Starwood Hotels card and said to myself "well that Starwood card would be great to have...but AMEX will probably deny me." I applied for 3 cards on 6/21...after about 3 days of checking the app status page every hour or two both said "approved." Again I was floored! When they showed up in the mail the SkyMiles Gold had a 10K limit and the Starwood card had a 15K limit. Now keep in mind up until this point I had $1500 bucks in total revolving limits. I didn't know what to do!

I continued applying for cards from issuers I knew that pulled TU because TU was the first report to have such a dramatic increase in FICO points. I had the AMEX bug and when someone would ask about whether they could be approved for this card and if they had a high enough score I would go for it. I never had an instant approval since that first SkyPOINTS card but I kept getting approvals for all the cards (at 10K limits). I now carry 10 different AMEX products. Not only does it help my utilization but it helps me keep low balances on the cards so I don't get too crazy on one card and ruin my util. I also went after a couple of cards from Chase (Starbucks and United Mileage Plus Visa's) and had gotten approved for both.

Fast forward to today...as of right now I have 2 reports over 700 and I have gone from 32 negatives when I started at CB to 1. The one is a doozy but I know I am coming down the home stretch and I know I can get this last one off EX and ride off into the sunset with three clean reports and FICO scores over 700. My goal now is to give back when I can because I know what it's like to be a newbie and I know what it's like to be depressed, frustrated and dissapointed with my credit. I can never give back what this board has given to me...and I owe each and every person here a big THANK YOU for helping me get to where I am today.

There is one final reward (at PRIME)...but I think I will let the picture do the talking for me:




Thank you CB!!!!

Cloak...

Let your success be a guide to all on here!

Thank you for posting your story Cloak. What an amazing improvement from 30+ negatives to 1 (?). Congratulations and thank you for sharing your experience with us and your continuous efforts to help others.

Not only has Cloak been very successful but he has also given out and shared his success and tips with others.

I for one was a click away from applying for BLUE when he told me to apply for a Delta instead because it was my first Amex product, and I might be able to get a better CL. I listened to him. Applied for Amex Delta Skypoints and got approved for $14,300. At that time my highest CL was $6500 with BOA. This CL will be very helpful to me in the future when I apply for new credit or ask an exhisting creditor for a CLI.

Whenever I look at my Amex Delta Skypoints card I will remember Cloak. "The dude who shared" .

Awesome C&D! Way to go! I had to dab a tear away while reading your story, as I could identify with where you have been...new place is awesome!... Congrats!

WOW!

I am impressed!

Well done!!

Your posts have always been so informative-it's hard to believe, but also inspiring, to know that you were where alot of us are, just a short time ago. Thank you so much for posting this!!

Very well done MR.Amex. lol that really is quite impressive. Congrats on all the achievements.

BTW - I only have 5 Amex cards but will be going for #6 very shortly.

Very nice!

That's so awesome!!



cadicae

I should add:

1. I owe LKH, Breeze, Sassy, Pam and the rest of the founders/creators/owners of this site a big thank you for even having this place exist. Everyone should give them a big THANK YOU because they are the reason we have this place to come to.

2. You don't have to be an AMEX psycho to have good scores. They pull TU where I am so they were the right grantor for me at the time I needed them and have been there for me ever since. Positive TL's are positive TL's...and I believe the more positive information on my reports the better.

3. Do NOT give up! It can be done. I am the biggest procrastinator I know and I managed to come this far. Hopefully my success will at least energize you (or re-energize you) and keep you on the path of clean credit. It can be done...just keep the faith!

I completely agree, and heartily concur!!!

Congrats on your success.

Thanks for the post, C&D...if you can go from 390 to the 700s, then there is hope for everyone on here...just gotta keep plugging away...keep on fighting until the fight is won!

Congratulations, A picture is worth a thouand words.

3 Ficos < 500 to:






WOW!!!!!

Great house, new DW, major credit improvement.....way to take control of the situation Cloak. the man!

Beautiful new home. Mind saying how much you bought it for? Being a home owner in a newly built house feels great, doesnt it?

Wow!!! I am so impressed. Thanks for sharing your wonderfully encouraging story with us.

It's just over 3000 sq and we're paying just under 400k...thanks for the .

Yep...we are really excited! I couldn't be there without CB...that's for sure.

Don't you just love happy endings?





Way to go Cloak!!!!!

Hopefully we will all be there with you eventually.

************* WOW *************



I am very impressed with no just this monster house, but I have watched your progress on this board and this is so deserved.

Will you be in it for Christmas?

Many posters have come and gone after sucess stories, but what I see here is you willing desire to help others and that is what makes you one of those cream of the crop.


Smiling all the way for ya .........

BEACHFAMILY

Beach,

No we are done in mid-January (but DW brought her shopping friends up to the lot today and all the siding and most of the drywall is in...I'm going up there tomorrow morning with her) but I know it's not too far off.

Thanks I owe you some gratitude for all your help. Still battling EX...but hope to be done soon.

Thank you!

Gorgeous house!

Super - Mega - Hella - CONGRATS!!! I feel like I'm walking a delayed parallel path to yours!!

Awesome job!!! Gives me hope!!! Were you within SOL or outside when you did all your disputing?? That's my biggest fear. Pretty much one more year and they are all SOL. Congrats on the house, it will be beautiful!!!! Thanks for sharing your experience and success!!

Chicaloca

Congrats to you and thanks for sharing your story!

WOW awesome. it's BEAUTIFUL! So happy for you!

Most were outside SOL...though definately not all of them. I would say about 70 percent were outside SOL...30 percent within SOL (but no one sued to collect...so I guess in a way I was lucky).

I know the waiting is hard...but I think you'll have a much easier time of it if you're out of SOL.

Thanks and good luck!

Cloak ya go !!!!!!!! WOW!

THAT IS A BEAUTIFUL CRIB!!!! SOMETHING LIKE THAT IN GA would cost $300,000 to and up ......

WOW!

I WANT TO GET A BOX OF KLEENEX...... THERE IS A LIFE AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL

never mind i got the answer to my own question?

Let me ask you this.. is there a some sort of tool that I can use to figure out how much house i can realistically afford..... I trying to get a $300,000 house I currently live in a $150,000 house with my wife. But we paying tooooo much $$$ for it... and i am leery of all these internet offers for loan .. but it seem like they are interest only loans.. ie.. $160,000 for only $600 a month??? and we paying $1020 a month with 6% interest rate on a 30 year loan.... but I am like we need to refinance esp if we arent going to be here for the rest of our life..... I like my house but I dont like the lack of closet space.. it amazing what ya can culiminate in 3 year short year of marriage lol

Thanks CEO! Check this link (it's in the newbie forum...you should definately read everything you can in there):

http://creditboards.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=32

TU = Trans Union...one of our 3 (not-so) friendly CRA's.

thank Cloak... i appericate ya telling me about dem awful TransUnion

Wow!!! Cloak, this is truly an amazing story. I am new to this website, and I am totally encouraged by everything I read on here. I am right now, exactly where you started off. I am even planning on proposing to my girlfriend of 6 years. When I saw the picture of your house, I had to stop myself from shedding a tear, because of course "Men don't cry". But if we did, your story would be the one to cause it. Thanks for being an encouragement to us all.

God Bless!


-Sam (sml1997)

Congrats cloak...

I hope to soon be following in your footsteps

I have three CA's with t atotal of 6 derogs between trhem before I am 100% clean.

And following your post and others here since March of 2005 I have made great in roards to my goal to the 700 Club.

As you said...with out CB here to illuminate that light at the end of the tunnel I think I would have crawled under a rug and not come ouit for a LONG time.

As Cloak sez..Thanks Pam, LKH, breeze and crew...

Again VERY BIG CONGRATS on the new home.



BG

Thanks Blue. As one of the CB'ers who seem to have a better grasp of the law than most...I know you're not far away from the finish line.

WTG C & D!!!! I must say that is real nice. A beautiful house

Thanks Sam! It's not impossible...I keep telling myself that every time we go up to look at that place. If you would've told me in Feb of 2005 when I first found this place I would be here today...I would've said you're nuts buddy!

I'm happy I can share my experiences with others...if it wasn't for this place I would not have a chance in you-know-where of building a place like this.

Dream come true (CHECK!)

Thanks Nicole!

It's got siding and drywall now...we're going up this weekend for more pics (and hoping there will be something on the front of it to see how we did with the color selection).

I have a huge smile on my face....i am soo happy for you.

Congrats Cloak!!! You deserve all the wonderful things you have received.

I love your new home. That house in the San Diego would be atleast 700k - 1 mil. LOL

Thanks Muse....I'd be happy to trade weather with you anytime!

GREAT WORK!! My only card was a secured crapone for 5 or so yrs so, there ya go!!

Again Woot!!

I got rejected by AMEX. I had a 650 in TU.

Yes congrats!!!!!!! Hard work pays off.. So I am closing on my new home on Thurs Dec 1st and its 2900 sq ft in the low $300's with a full basement, 3 cae side load, but I think you have much better view your on a hill :-)

Thanks everyone!

recruiting I hear ya....we were sub-prime to the core.

unix don't give up! Reconsideration is a great word and AMEX is pretty friendly in my past experiences.

ernest CONGRATS on the new house!!! I'm sure it's a beauty. I hope to be joining you shortly as a fellow homeowner.

I noticed that you are closing on your house today!
Congratulations on your success!

Thanks Amia!!!!

Just to let everyone know...we have officially closed!!!

I couldn't have done it without CB...thank you everyone!!!

Congrats. This is my first day to these boards & your story is exactly what I needed to read to see that there is hope. Thanks for sharing & I look forward to reading more great stuff on these boards.

Thanks Hawtness and welcome to the CB family! This place is definately the right place if you want help along the way.

Good luck on your journey!

Just to let everyone know I updated the picture of the house on the web...we are now 18 days in and loving every minute of it!

Thank you CB!!!

Hi C&D,

Congratulations to you! This is only my second post, but I have been following this thread since I found these boards last month. Your story is truly inspiring and you seem to have no problem sharing your experiences.

NL

Thanks NL! I know what it's like to be on the really low end of the credit world...giving back to me is a no-brainer considering where I was when I found this place vs where I am today.

Hopefully you find your journey as fulfilling as mine has been. Good luck!