Tips to Repair Credit After Bankruptcy
Bankruptcy can leave the biggest stigma on your mind. It can scar you forever. A few who have suffered a bankruptcy or are suffering it will tell you to sit idle. Unfortunately, that’s not a way out of the deplorable situation. There is nothing wrong about being bankrupt, but it’s surely a crime if you choose not to learn from it. The first mistake you make, while on the road of bankruptcy is, mismanagement of money. Your money is important and it is very much a lifeline of any of your endeavors.
The state of bankruptcy leads to bad credit ratings in the market. This can hamper your business plans and the finances required for the same. On the lighter note, the whole process of ‘repair credit after bankruptcy’ is tedious, but possible.
Tips for Repairing Credit
The first step towards repairing credit after bankruptcy, is shrugging of the nonchalant attitude. Hopefully, you must have already done that, if you’ve reached this page. Understand, that credit money or credits cards are that form of money, that are not yours, were never yours and will never be yours. So, you don’t have the right to use them in any way. To explain this better, thanks to all the credit cards and the interest on them, that you’ve reached the bankruptcy condition.
Tip # 1
Hire an attorney, who can compute your exact details of bankruptcy. A lawyer will safely guide you through the turbulence, as he knows all the credit laws and is capable of offering a bankruptcy advice. If you are doing it yourself, then get yourself a trustworthy guide. The other option is to subscribe to the best debt management program for dealing with bankruptcy. Commit yourself for the same, to come clean out of this mess and begin with an open mind. Get the details of the fees charged by the attorneys or look up for any online tool that you will be using. Act in the most co-operative manner while dealing with creditors and other associates.
Tip # 2
Get all the 3 copies of your credit records, from all three credit bureaus, namely Experian, Equifax, and Transunion. Study them in detail, and make a note of all the errors and omissions. Send the copy of these errors and omissions to your creditors and also the references of good credit, which were left out. File a complaint with the FTC or Federal Trade Commission under Fair Credit Reporting Act. If you can’t analyze the credit copies then, get in touch with bankruptcy assistance or a bankruptcy counselor.
Tip # 3
Open a savings account in the bank and deposit a fixed amount, no matter how small it is. Make regular payments to your creditors, till the time the debt is paid off. Try and manage your expenses through your savings account. Overnight miracles are rare, so it will take about 6-8 months to repair the state of your credit. If you have a feasible plan in mind, apply for a low limit credit card, or a secured credit card.
Bad credits scores and bankruptcy can occur due to loss of job or plenty of outstanding bills. Whatever be the case, horrible credit scores are never advisable. Now that you are following the tips, give yourself a budget, within which you must manage your finances. Whenever, you go out shopping, buy in bulk, so that you get a wholesale discount. Recycle and reuse the old items in your house, which will curb the need of going out and buying.
Make your payments on time, which will reduce the additional burden of paying late fees or applicable interest. Cash is your hard-earned money and thus comes with a right to spend it. So use it instead of credit cards. It is crucial that you learn to prioritize your needs. Wants and demands, always soar higher than resources. Reconciling the two is the art of optimizing your wealth. Hence, plan your expenses to avoid begging, borrowing, and worrying!
