Stupidly cut up all cards a few years ago

[Anonymous]

After decades of having a stellar credit track record (fico >800), there was a point when I was sick of the whole credit/owing thing, paid off all debts and cancelled the cards.  I thought that was a good thing to do...idiot me.  So here I am a few years later, apparently no better off than had I declared bankrupcy - no sign of me on the credit landsape at all.

This week, I applied (and was denied) for unsecured cards through Chase and my bank, so last night I got an unsecured card last night from Capital One ($49 for $200).  My question is, will the road back to credit existence take the same amount of time as if I had a bad history to overcome?  Most of my accounts were closed in 2001-2002, though my Chase card was closed in 2006 so at least that one sits within the 10-year period. 

Thanks for any advise.

[GregB]

You don't have any negatives to overcome so it will be faster. However, credit is tighter now than it was then.

[Anonymous]

Thanks, that cheered me up.   What cracks me up is the mindgame aspect of all this, it's not even like I'm going to need a loan or buy a house in the near future, but the helplessness of realizing something you took for granted is not available to you anymore (at least, without substantial time investment) was a real downer.

[mnosal9]

I did the same thing with my higher credit limit cards. I thought hell might as well cancel them so I dont use them. No im rebuilding and stuck with $500 dollar credit limits. The only thing I can do now is wait be patient and rebuild.

[bettercreditguy1]

Yes silly me too! I closed all cc accounts for a couple of years, paid by check and cash. My credit file got thin fast! Fortunately, I was able to re-start relatively easily. I will NOT ever do that again.

[Anonymous]

Glad I'm not alone, you guys.  Ironic though, how you think you're doing the most responsible thing but alas, get bit in the butt for it.  Oh well, live and learn.