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Today I realized that building good credit is a lot like losing weight and sculpting a great physique. My weight goes up and down. I'll get on a healthy kick to lose weight, and have some success, see some results on the scale and my pants loosening up, and think, "Look! Results! I've done it! I can keep doing it!" But then, I think that my results have given me some leeway to be naughty, and next thing I know, I find myself giving in to multiple strawberry margaritas and chips and salsa at Chevy's, instead of iced tea and fajitas.
In the same way, I see my credit score go up, and I think, "Yippee! Results! Now I have room to play!" and I feel an itch to apply. Argh. So hard to resist!!
I need to start smacking myself up the head. Off to the garden I go!
Great analogy
I love your analogy, and I feel the same exact way.
For years I let both my physical and credit health slide because I was young and thought I was invincible. Took a few weeks in he hospital to cure me of my delusionary outlook for my health and now, 80 pounds lighter and much healthier I've move forward, tracking every single day.
I took a good hard look at my credit the same way, and applied the same principles - Track everything, every day. No cheating without acknowledgement. Okay to have/do something "bad", just own up and move on, but write it down. I pull my credit regularly without cringing now.
It's all good, and we're stronger people for making the commitment to be and do better. And I like that I'm setting a good example for my daughter as well.
Good luck (and enjoy those strawberry margaritas once in a while)