If you could start over what would you do different?

[MarineVietVet]

Put needs ahead of toys and wants.

[PapasWifey]

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@FrugalRican wrote:

Brush my teeth more and floss at least once a day.

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OMG, that line made me crack up! At first, I was like "huh?"! Then when I read further I understood.

I would have a better understanding of credit cards in college (in other words - credit card does not = FREE MONEY), and understand that it is important to make sure that accounts (credit and bank alike) do not go into charge-off status (because of severe overdrafts).

I would also have made sure that I had an emergency fund, and that I did not spend every penny that I made.

I would have been more proactive with the ID theft that occurred when I was 17 and that affected me up until about 2 years ago.

I would have opened up and paid collections (pfd) when they came in the mail, instead of just discarding them in the trash (often unopened).

[PapasWifey]

Oh, and I would have joined MyFico and began the credit repair process long ago.

[Anonymous]

i would not have repeatedly extended my 18-22 year old self credit. I was granted credit before I was granted the sense to use it responsibly.

[Anonymous]

Not using credit purely because I could.

+1 to the flossing and brushing.

[NikJ4]

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@currentlywinning wrote:

I would know that bills dont just MAGICALLY disappear! And pay in a timely manner!

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+200 for me

[MarcinXP]

Don't use credit cards as an extension of money...always use it as a debit card and don't plan to spend more than what you have...ruined my credit with Providial Visa at age of 18....only had one card and did not pay like I was supposed to....did not rebuild my credit until 23 when I bought my car...it was actually not bad..bought a 30K explorer for 25K and put 5K down so had a decent 11.35% APR with a bad score....soon after got 4 $500 cards...Cap One, Orchard, FNANB and FMCC....ruined those too...now at 30 and after months and months of reading this forum and learning about CL, UTIL, SCORE DINGS, 30 day LATES, etc......I KNOW BETTER..Infact I learned to manage my credit better and my checking accounts better. I don't always PIF, but I don't spend more than I can handle and I make a payment the day that the website shows the new due date...which is cool because it means in worst case scenario I have 60 days until next payment..LOL

[PapasWifey]

Another thing I would do differently is be sure to check my credit report every year and try to clear things off immediately. For the longest time I was too internally embarrassed to see all of the damage that had been done.  My parents are notorius for burying their heads in the sand, and that mentality extended to me when it came to finances.

[bridgetkaryn]

There are quiet a few things but when I was rebuilding the first time I wouldn't have taken out so many cards... In the end it became REALLY hard to manage the different due dates and the monthy annual fee's which made it so you ALWAYS had to make a payment. I missed a few things here and there and I am paying for it now... a few 30 days lates REALLY add up!

Also, for the 24 year old me... not answering your phone or opening your bills doesn't mean they don't exist or will go away... they won't in fcat they usually get worse...  Also, don't ever ever EVER let someone else be responsible for paying a bill in YOUR name...

[Deka]

Pay bills on time. Not sign up for a CC.