Hit a pothole...what next?

[brownee]

Oh, Paying, that is an excellent idea about the small loan using the savings as collaterol. I have never thought of that. Adding that installment tradeline should definitely help. I don't know if I could get a loan at my CU, though.  I tried to get one a couple of months ago to pay off the truck (using the actual truck as collaterol) so that it wouldn't be 30 days late and they said no. :-(

[PayingTheBills]

Go in a talk to a CU employee.  Explain your situation and ask what they can do for you.  They should be willing to do the personal loan if you put up the money for it since there's essentially no risk for them.

They also might be able to get you another secured card, one that WILL actually graduate.

[brownee]

Good idea. The CU is here in the buiilding at work, so i'll go down later today and see what, if anything, they can do.  I know they tried really hard for me in Feb. (the decisions are made in the home office, not here) and couldn't do it...but i'll certainly try again.

[PayingTheBills]

kudos to you.  keep your head up.  Credit repair is a long road, but you're not making this journey alone.