To Creditboards.com, from "Echo"

[Echo]

Hello! I'm in a great mood! Long story trying to make short....Married 18 years with good credit, divorced now for 8 years. Bankruptcy in 1998. With the divorce and bankruptcy, I lost everything, I mean EVERYTHING!! Home, cars, furniture (my ex-husband was smarter than I was). Moved to an apartment and bought a car (Before BK). After BK, I felt like it was the end of the world. I couldn't even get the easiest credit cards. Rather than take this sitting down, I lifted myself up by the boot straps and slowly started rebuilding. For the first few years, I concentrated on my career. Kept looking until I found a job that paid what I felt I was worth. From there, I worked on getting a few credit cards, like Cap One, Providian. Three or four years ago I started looking for a house to buy, That is when I started hearing about FICO numbers and I remember the bank telling me that my score was around 565. The loan was not approved. Did I let that stop me? No! I spent another year rebuilding. Paying all my debts, little medical bills, utility bills left over from my move, etc. Two years ago I managed to buy a home. However, I had to jump through hoops to get it. My scores were around 625. Still low, but enough to get me a home. Then I started working on prime credit cards. Was turned down again and again. Mostly due to negative items on my credit reports. This is where "creditboards" come in. I found this site and read and read and read. Asked questions, but mostly read. The search options was my buddy. I found most of my questions answered this way. I followed the advice and went to work. It is a lot of work and I had to be consistent and persistent and organized. I had a medical collection that I never knew I had, I paid it using Why Chats HIPPA letter and then disputed it. Item deleted! I remember being so excited about that one. My FICO jumped a few points to about 637. Continued with the disputes - all this was less than a year ago. Recently, I applied and got a credit card from my credit union (advice from "Creditboard") with a CL of $3,000!! I recently bought a newer used car and was approved for a $15,000 auto loan for 4.99% (2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee) (thanks to MarvBear for that one) The car of my dreams!!! I didn't even have to ask MarvBear, I just read all his replies. I couldn't believe my luck! So I decided to check my FICO scores tonight. When I first started this repair, I was getting a little discouraged by the slowly raising numbers, but I kept at it. Soooooooo, here are my numbers as of today.....I'm so excited.....

 

TU >>>>>663

Experian >>>>>>>690

Equifax >>>>>>>693

 

My advice....Don't give up! If I can do it, anyone can! Consistent, persist and organization!! Listen to what these great people on this board have to say - it has changed the quality of my life. I may have a few credit cards, but I hardly ever use them. My only real debts are mortgage and auto loan. I only use the cards a little to keep them active, pay them off every month. It is so comforting that I have security now and if my car breaks down or I have a home repair, I have the credit to use. Thanks to all of you for improving my life and making me a very happy women! YOU ARE ALL THE BEST!!!!

[bouncingback]

congrats -- great story and very motivational.

[MarvBear]

Echo:

 

You absolutely do not know how great that makes me feel!

 

I am so PROUD OF YOU!!!!!!!!!

 

You deserve a round of applause and everyone's most sincere congratulations.

 

I am sending you a big BEAR HUG

[MarvBear]

Echo: you in your post mentioned your "luck"

 

Someone once told me long ago that "luck is applied Skills"

 

So you have turned the skills you have learned from Creditboards into real life benefits to yourself.

 

Everyone can do this, no matter how hopeless!

 

Congrats again!

[Echo]

MarvBear, I will take the "bear hug" but it is dedicated people like you on this forum that deserve the hugs and congratulations! Understanding that "bad things can happen to good people". And giving us the knowledge that we need to improve our lives. Echo

[breeze]

Wow! That's a wonderful story! We are so proud of you, and so glad we could be part of it.

 

You did it!!!

[Trina_TX]

Your story gives me hope in achieving my dreams of a home of my own someday soon.

 

Thank you so much for sharing your story, I hope it gives those that are ready to give up the little extra hope that they need to continue the journey.

[JerseyBaby]

Awesome and inspiring post.

[Guest adoptolder]

What a great story! Congrats on all of your successes!

[janama]

Wow! Echo, GOOD FOR YOU!

[maxedoutgen]

I am really impressed with news of this success. When someone can navigate through all the obstacles put up by the credit industry and come out the other end wiser and happier, that's a story worth sharing. It's a jungle out there because our lawmakers have little interest in controlling those in the financial world who want to keep us dependent. And it gets worse all the time. Bankruptcy "reform" legislation is a huge threat to the well-being of honest, hard-working people who fall on hard times. We have to become street-wise in a different way in order to survive in this society, and that's why this online community is so important.

 

www.maxedoutgen.com

[Fela200]

Good for you Echo!!!

[Echo]

Thanks to everyone for all your kind words. I can't stress enough how important it is to read everything on this board. A wealth of information is right here. I have to add that I didn't do this credit repair to delete things that were accurate, I mainly went after the inaccurate tradelines. When I first ordered my reports I was absolutely shocked about how many errors where on them. "maxedoutgen" you summed it all up, very nicely I might add, in your reply! Echo

[Hope]

Echo, your story wamrs the cockels of my heart (always wanted to use the silver screen phrase and you just gave me a reason to!!!!)

 

You go girl! We're proud of you!!

[divinediva]

Congrats to you that is GREAT!

 

Oh and by the way Hope, where precisely would one locate one's cockels? (INCH and Joe D don't answer that...)

[melodist]

Thank you! I've been having a hard day. This story just really boosted me.

 

Congratulations on your success!

[richierich]

congrats!! I'm sure there are tons of people out there who will be motivated when they read your post!! Shows us that anyone can overcome credit hell.

[milkmom]

I am so happy for you and your success. Let this be a testament to endurance and pure will. All you have to do is keep at it and you will triumph! Of course, I have to remember that myself... LOL

 

Congrats!!