This is my first post here (although I've been watching the boards for a while). I went through some credit "issues" back in 2009 which pretty much destroyed what little bit of good credit I had. About 18 months ago I got a secured card with my local credit union (low limit but kept it paid on time every month). About 9 months ago i got another secured card with Capital One (still pretty low limit but double what the other one was). Again, I kept it paid on time...basically using online bill pay & paying it as I go to keep from carrying a balance for too long.
About a month ago I started the process of trying to "clean up" some of the issues on my reports. Most of the info (unfortunately) was pretty accurate but there were a few accounts that are listed incorrectly (these are a work in progress). There was also a judgement on there (for an old medical bill) that I'm pretty sure was outside the SOL. I disputed it & it was dropped two weeks ago.
Long story short, about a year ago I was in the low 500s, two weeks ago I was at 589. I checked again today & I'm up to 635 (I'm assumoing this is from the judgement dropping off)! I still have a way to go but I can honestly say that for the first time in a long time I can see the light at the end of the tunnel & maybe good credit is not too far off.
Thanks to everyone for the great advice...I look forward to posting here more often & learning more.
Joey
Starting Score (02/01/2014): EQ 548 EX 548 TU 564
Thanks for sharing and congrats. 
Congrats on your score!!
congrats!!! Keep up the good work!!!
Congrats to your success
Congratulations. Very nice progress.
Nice work! Have you considered applying for an unsecured card from Capital One? I was in a similar situation, had a secured card with them for abiut a year, and just got an unsecured with a 3k limit! It's on their credit steps program, so as long as I make the first 6 paymebts on time, I get an auto cli.
Hover over card to see limits
That's def on my "to do" list. I thought I'd have it for about a year & then I'd try for an unsecured card wth them. I've had nothing but positives since I got the secured card (& for about a year before) so I'm hoping that I'll be able to get one.
Congratulations! I am just starting off at 540 
with a similar situation, most of my baddies are acccurate. Just got my second secured cc, and I've been debt free for 6 months. Hopefully I'm where you are in 12 months!