I destroyed my credit. How (and how long) to get back on track?

[Anonymous]

My life, and lifestyle, changed dramatically last year. I had great credit then. Since then I've paid bills late and maxed out a high limit credit card. I'm finally getting back on my feet. How do I start to rebuild my credit?

(Please, no lectures about how I shouldn't have gotten into this situation. I'm here. I want to improve it.)

[Anonymous]

You were high as a kite and used your cash to buy the stuff and your credit cards to live.
Pay down your credit cards and don't miss any more bills. Will take ca 3 years to get back to good credit.

[Anonymous]

Pay every bill on time and pay off the cc.

You'll be fine - you didn't go into collections and as long as you're not qualifying for a mortgage in the immediate future.

[Anonymous]

The Reddit personal finance board will have better advice than the biddies here.

OK, start by setting up reminders for the bills so that you pay on time for every single one.

If you can pick up some extra work or sell some things to throw money at the high cc balance that would be good.

Pack your lunch and eliminate all discretionary spending til you get it under control. You can do it!

[Anonymous]

Pay your bills on time.
Do not charge any more

That's all you can do and tbh it's no big deal to not have a great credit score for a while. It's the least if your worries.

[Anonymous]

OP: Why did your lifestyle change? Can you scale it back? Post your budget here and we can help.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The Reddit personal finance board will have better advice than the biddies here.

OK, start by setting up reminders for the bills so that you pay on time for every single one.

If you can pick up some extra work or sell some things to throw money at the high cc balance that would be good.

Pack your lunch and eliminate all discretionary spending til you get it under control. You can do it!

+1

[Anonymous]

use an app like credit karma they have a simulator to get you where you want to be