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From 400s to 800s. From $0 to over $300k.


donuteric
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I've been waiting for this moment for a while now, and finally, the time is here.

 

I joined the CB family in 2011 when my credit was in rock bottom. The concept of FICO was vague and my skores were lingering in the 400s. I had countless of x-day late, numerous COs from AMEX and BOA totaled into the tens of thousands, and a couple of medical related baddies. I was in such denial that I thought to myself, as long as I had decent income, I'd have no trouble dealing with lenders. Screwed the freakin' numbers. Oh boy was I wrong.

 

Like many others, I started rebuilding with secured cards and I still remember the days when I'd genuinely smile when a lender extended me a measly $500 CL. Today, I have over $150k from various prime banks and over $300k combined.

 

The work has really paid off, because now, I get to pick which lenders I want to do business with, not whom I have to.

 

Over this period of time, I earned almost 10 millions frequent flyer miles and hotel points, tens of thousands in cash back, and have flown to 4 continents in First class. DW and I spent a wonderful 7-day vacation in Maldives solely on miles and points.

 

I qualified for the lowest financing terms in every auto dealership I walk in.

 

I saved over $10k for refinancing my private student loan.

 

DW and I will be purchasing a home this year, and I'll likely receive the best possible mortgage rate as well.

 

None of this would've been possible without the help of the fellow members here. So I thank you all!

Edited by donuteric
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I've been waiting for this moment for a while now, and finally, the time is here.

 

I joined the CB family in 2011 when my credit was in rock bottom. The concept of FICO was vague and my skores were lingering in the 400s. I had countless of x-day late, numerous COs from AMEX and BOA totaled into the tens of thousands, and a couple of medical related baddies. I was in such denial that I thought to myself, as long as I had decent income, I'd have no trouble dealing with lenders. Screwed the freakin' numbers. Oh boy was I wrong.

 

Like many others, I started rebuilding with secured cards and I still remember the days when I'd genuinely smile when a lender extended me a measly $500 CL. Today, I have over $150k from various prime banks and over $300k combined.

 

The work has really paid off, because now, I get to pick which lenders I want to do business with, not whom I have to.

 

Over this period of time, I earned almost 10 millions frequent flyer miles and hotel points, tens of thousands in cash back, and have flown to 4 continents in First class. DW and I spent a wonderful 7-day vacation in Maldives solely on miles and points.

 

I qualified for the lowest financing terms in every auto dealership I walk in.

 

I saved over $10k for refinancing my private student loan.

 

DW and I will be purchasing a home this year, and I'll likely receive the best possible mortgage rate as well.

 

None of this would've been possible without the help of the fellow members here. So I thank you all!

Here's to the next 10 million miles. Cheers!

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This is so inspiring. I started in the 400's in September (scores in my signature), and I'm now in the 500's. Working my way up. Thank you for sharing!

 

Do you mind if I ask... how long was it from the time you started working on this to when you were able to get your first premium card? And what were your scores at that point? Just looking for more inspiration. :)

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how long was it from the time you started working on this to when you were able to get your first premium card? And what were your scores at that point?

 

It depends on how you define premium card. I was able to get unsecured lines from Discover and Barclay when I was in the low 600's. While the approvals weren't automatic, it came relatively easy via recon.

 

In fact, most of my approvals and CLI (recon or not) from prime banks (Chase, AMEX, etc) came when I was in the high 600's and very low 700's.

 

Roughly 80% of my total credit lines were obtained before I hit 720 across all 3.

 

It's actually quite ironic that my credit is now spotless, I run out of cards to apply for.

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how long was it from the time you started working on this to when you were able to get your first premium card? And what were your scores at that point?

 

It depends on how you define premium card. I was able to get unsecured lines from Discover and Barclay when I was in the low 600's. While the approvals weren't automatic, it came relatively easy via recon.

 

In fact, most of my approvals and CLI (recon or not) from prime banks (Chase, AMEX, etc) came when I was in the high 600's and very low 700's.

 

Roughly 80% of my total credit lines were obtained before I hit 720 across all 3.

 

It's actually quite ironic that my credit is now spotless, I run out of cards to apply for.

 

This is exactly what I was looking for. I'm just trying to plan out what I need to wait for in terms of scores before I apply for anything. I don't want any HP's to knock down my already low scores. I can't have any new negatives showing up right now.

 

As I slowly approach the 600's, I know it will be tempting to apply. But I want to wait until I'm fairly certain I'll get an approval, so I'll have to keep this information handy to remind myself when I start to get twitchy fingers. :)

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how long was it from the time you started working on this to when you were able to get your first premium card? And what were your scores at that point?

 

It depends on how you define premium card. I was able to get unsecured lines from Discover and Barclay when I was in the low 600's. While the approvals weren't automatic, it came relatively easy via recon.

 

In fact, most of my approvals and CLI (recon or not) from prime banks (Chase, AMEX, etc) came when I was in the high 600's and very low 700's.

 

Roughly 80% of my total credit lines were obtained before I hit 720 across all 3.

 

It's actually quite ironic that my credit is now spotless, I run out of cards to apply for.

 

This is exactly what I was looking for. I'm just trying to plan out what I need to wait for in terms of scores before I apply for anything. I don't want any HP's to knock down my already low scores. I can't have any new negatives showing up right now.

 

As I slowly approach the 600's, I know it will be tempting to apply. But I want to wait until I'm fairly certain I'll get an approval, so I'll have to keep this information handy to remind myself when I start to get twitchy fingers. :)

 

 

It's not just scores, but overall profile.

 

For example, Chase and Amex approved me for multiple cards with an EX 660 FICO 8 score. The Chase UW even told me that he was making the approval because of the positive history and responsible use of credit and was ignoring my FICO score. This was a $12K approval for a CSP, my second Chase card.

 

FICOs matter, but focus on your overall profile.

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It's not just scores, but overall profile.

 

For example, Chase and Amex approved me for multiple cards with an EX 660 FICO 8 score. The Chase UW even told me that he was making the approval because of the positive history and responsible use of credit and was ignoring my FICO score. This was a $12K approval for a CSP, my second Chase card.

 

FICOs matter, but focus on your overall profile.

 

This I do know... But as a new credit repairer, it's hard to remember as I see that score go up.

 

I do review the CP database pretty regularly and look at the decline reasons. I've learned a lot there, as well as from the forums.

 

It's good to be reminded, though. Sometimes us newbies get so focused on our scores that we get all giddy when we see them increase. I'm doing my best (and have been successful thus far) to keep my enthusiasm reeled in and to remain logical, and not emotional, about my credit.

 

mendelssohn, you've been especially helpful in my journey thus far. I am immensely appreciative of your input and advice. :)

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Congrats! :D

 

We joined around the same time. Enjoy the travel with all your miles and points!

 

Thanks! You posted 2500% more! :D

 

You've become a guru here and I'm a student who just graduated 3rd grade.

 

 

I either go all in on something or don't do it at all. ;)

 

Bob Wang helped me and continues to help me a lot.

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I'm new here..Yeah

 

Joined CB on 5 February 2017.

Credit score: Transunion 634

 

Haven't checked the other bureaus yet. Plan on doing this on Feb 20 2017.

 

I am here for guidance and learning on "How To Handle Credit Responsibly."

 

 

Thanks

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