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Take the myFICO Fitness Challenge for 2013!

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Sarah
Administrator Emeritus

Take the myFICO Fitness Challenge for 2013!

 

Happy New Year to the myFICO Forums Community!

Can you believe we’re entering our fourth year of the myFICO Fitness Challenge? If you have financial goals for the New Year, the myFICO Fitness Challenge is the place for you!

 

 

What’s the myFICO Fitness Challenge?

To take part in the myFICO Fitness Challenge, simply post an introductory note, and state your financial goals for the coming year. Are you hoping to raise your FICO Score? Buy your first home? A new car? Get that coveted rewards card? Tell us about what you hope to achieve, and what reaching those financial goals will mean to you. As the year progresses, check back here to report on your progress, talk about hurdles you encounter, or simply reach out for support and encouragement from your fellow Fitness Challengers.

 

 

New this year!

To help you stay on track, we're introducing monthly check-ins for 2013. On the first day of each month, myFICO will post a monthly check-in thread for you to talk about your progress, successes, speedbumps, etc. Participation in these monthly check-ins is optional - but encouraged! 

 

 

First time Challenger?

If you’re new to the myFICO Fitness Challenge, then welcome!  To begin, set up your official myFICO Fitness Challenge logo signature on your Profile page (Go to My Settings=>Personal Profile=>Personal Information).  Then just reply to this topic, telling us a little about your financial situation, your goals, and how you plan to achieve them during the coming year.  

 

 

Returning Challenger?

Welcome back! Please be sure to update your myFICO Fitness Challenge logo signature so it directs to the current challenge. You can also tell us about your results in the 2012 Wrap Up Thread.

 

 

Here’s to ALL of us achieving our financial goals in 2013!

 

Message 1 of 735
734 REPLIES 734
Revelate
Moderator Emeritus

Re: Take the myFICO Fitness Challenge for 2013!

Starting the new year with a new challenge, after the first brought me so much personal success credit-wise!

 

I've been on this forum a little more than a year, and last year's goal was simply to start getting my financial life together and establish credit.  Previously I was effectively a thin file with some negative information; this year I'm no longer thin, though still have some negatives which are going to depress my score for a while to come.  

 

This year's goals are basically an incredibly simple (theoretically) two step process:

1) resolve IRS tax lien

2) obtain first mortgage

 

Everything else is so secondary to be near irrelevant; if / when I obtain a mortgage or otherwise give up on it, I may consider opening another credit card or two that I've been looking at from a rewards perspective if my scores and report support it, but this isn't a process I can get ahead of myself on so just keeping the slate blank.  Been renting for nearly 20 years now, and I'm desperately trying to obtain a house here in S. Cali before something awkward happens in the economy one way or the other which may put them out of my reach.

 

I made last year's goal of getting to a FICO score of 640; I'd originally estimated that my score would top out around 700 until some negatives age off; however, just going to guesstimate that it may float up to 680 by the end of the year, so that's the goal at least.

 

Good luck to everyone, and may 2013 bring you much success both credit-wise and in life in general!

 

 




        
Message 2 of 735
starry1
Valued Contributor

Re: Take the myFICO Fitness Challenge for 2013!

Currently in chapter 7 with discharge expected 2/4. I really want to get back into the credit game, so emergency medical expenses don't force me into a situation like bankruptcy ever again. I haven't had a cc in about 10 years, my choice, and in some ways I regret it. Basically, I just want a nice nest egg again and coverage for emergency expenses. looking forward to being an NFCU member shortly. Goa score is 625 for now.

Starting Score: 11/29/12 TU 527; EQ 565; EX 564 fako - bk7 dc'd 2/15/13
Current Score: 1/22/15 TU 645; EQ 605; EX 633 New goal 675
Cap1 sec $1k (SD) / Fingerhut $2k / Flagship $12k / cashRewards $12k / NavChek $15k / Amazon $2k / Von Maur $1k / Firestone $2.2k / BCU $3k / NFL $1k / QS1 $750 / Target $400 / PPSC $800 / Conoco $700 (last app 09/29/14)
Message 3 of 735
NY_Beauty
Regular Contributor

Re: Take the myFICO Fitness Challenge for 2013!

Happy 2013 everyone!  I'm looking foward to improving my score and my life this year!

 

2012 Wrap Up

 

  • Found this board, learned A LOT!
  • Increased FICO from 599 September - to 656 December
  • Paid off 3 collections (no more left!)
  • No late payments or missed payments in 3 years
  • Increased CL on JCP, Orchard Bank, and other secured CC

 

2013 Goals

 

  • Increase FICO to 700 by June
  • Make final progress on GW to remove old COs and lates from 2006/2007
  • FHA Mortgage by May
  • Refi auto after mortgage
  • App for Amex (Green), Southwest Rewards, local credit union cc (right after mortgage then garden)
  • Save - add $5k to add to emergency fund
Amex Green Amex Gold Delta Rewards Discover IT CU Rewards Visa Closed on my new home 5/2013!

Message 4 of 735
CarlyK82
New Contributor

Re: Take the myFICO Fitness Challenge for 2013!

In the midst of being pregnant, getting married in May 2014, and attempting to buy a house sometime in the future, I have taken this leave of absence for a semester from school to work on my fiance's credit. We both thought it would be a lot worse than what it really is, and it wasn't terrible. Meanwhile in the background, I will be working on my credit, which I messed up years ago...young, dumb, and in a stupid relationship where I was the sole provider for the boyfriend who wanted to do nothing...but that is another story.

 

Our main goals right now are settling these tax liens, since he is self-employed (ugh).

Setting up a checking account to make payments from to get the liens removed. I don't think he is quite at $25,000 yet, but may be close.

Settling the tax liens, which are a lot cheaper, but still troublesome.

Officially in the garden...for like, EVER (or at least a really long time)


Starting Score: TU: 636 EQ: ?? EX: ??
Current Score:TU: 641 EQ: 643 EX: ??
Goal Score: 700s Across the Board


Take the myFICO Fitness Challenge
Message 5 of 735

Re: Take the myFICO Fitness Challenge for 2013!

       

 

                                                                                                           Happy New Year!!

 

I started my initial fico challenge for 2013 in the other thread,so let me just repost some of the things I'm working on for the new year.

I will order my fico scores this month so I can get an idea of how much work is ahead of me,and to qualify for a mortgage by the beginning of 2014. I will do a few PFD's on collections that are not even worth my time to dispute anymore lol I have a new credit card so I will make monthly payments on time,stay under the 35% utilization so that I can qualify for new cards in 6-8 months. I will open a secured credit card as well and do the same. Dispute remaining items on all 3 credit reports,paying off debts and overall just watch my score improve over the months so that I can get my dream home and a better car Smiley Happy  It's all about rebuilding this year!!  

 

2012 Goal Wrap Up

Deleted 10/13 baddies on my Experian report!

Obtained a new credit card w/ $1000 cl

Students Loans posted as positive (paying as agreed or deferred)

 

2013 Goals

Start Disputing baddies on Equifax and Transunion this month (January)

Make timely payments on credit cards

Open a secured card w/ a credit union

Continue saving money for my down payment

Pay off items gone to collections

Increase Fico to 620 by April

 

 

 

What's in my wallet: Barclay Extra Points NFL Card $1000
/Capital One secured $500/ JCPenney $500 Bank of America secured $300 Comenity Bank (Dots Fashion) $500

Starting Score: 12/2012 540 TU EXP 575
Current Score: 4/2013 TU 580 EXP 592 EQ 582 Quizzle 639 Credit Sesame 644 Vantage Score 620
Goal Score: 620 by 9/2013
700 across the board
Take the FICO Fitness Challenge
Message 6 of 735
dheather00
Valued Member

Re: Take the myFICO Fitness Challenge for 2013!

I just joined yesterday, with the goal or taking care and improving my credit in 2013.  My plan of attack is workinig on collection items, getting paid items deleted, and getting a second secured credit card that will eventually graduate.  Taking it one day at a time!

 

Message 7 of 735
newhouse2013
Regular Contributor

Re: Take the myFICO Fitness Challenge for 2013!

I just joined this site but have been working on my credit since the summer of 2012. My primary goal this year is to increase my score enough to buy a house with a 4% or lower interest rate. I recently paid off all but 1 negative account and will focus on sending out GW & PFD letters to have any negative TLs removed if I can.

I will also concentrate on paying off my auto loan in the next 3 months so I can save more money for my down payment. I am really nervous about being able to achieve this goal but after reading so many positive experiences and following the advice from people on this site not only do I think it is possible, Im really excited to get this year started.

 

Good luck to everyone! 


Starting Score: 529
Current Score: EQF 643, TU 677 EXP 631,Lender Pulled Aug 2, 2013 EX 665, TU 664 and EQF 643
Goal Score: 701



Take the myFICO Fitness Challenge
Message 8 of 735
KAISMOM
Contributor

Re: Take the myFICO Fitness Challenge for 2013!

 

 

Goal by end of 2013:

 

1) Pay off CC's ($1900 balance) by April 1. It's apparently better to do it incrementally then all at once...

Add one or two prime cards when my fico score cracks the 700 club to assure fewer hard hits, chances of acceptance and higher CL.

 

2) Save for DP for car, 3-5k, get approved for car loan, and buy a new, or nearly new subcompact car (eyeing the ford fiesta titanium currently)

 

3) Earn 50-60k+ this year, currently self employed, get second job (w/health insurance) and/or create another stream of income.

 

4) Continue to live where I am, never late on rent (something I was for 2+ years until 2 months ago) to show consistancy (currently paying 1400 monthly, the equivalent of a 200k mortgage)

 

5) Save up for DP on condo/house 5-40k

 

6) Qualify for FHA loan, start the process of looking to buy once my score is up

 

7) Pay down student loans by at least 2k currently hovering above 13k

 

8) Fico score of 730+ by December 2013, ulitmately qualify for Tier one credit, currently hovering at three.

 

 


Southwest Premier & Plus 25.8k I Alaska Air 21k I Discover It 16k I United Explorer 15k I Chase Business Ink Cash 12k I Wells Fargo 2.5k I Bill Me Later 7k I Amazon 3.5k


Current Scores:
(TU) 813, (EQ) 786
Goal Score: 820
Message 9 of 735
H-Town_Tider
Established Member

Re: Take the myFICO Fitness Challenge for 2013!

Happy New Year, all! I started 2012 with below average scores, and until I found this board I didn't know jack with regards to the credit system and how it works. I have learned a ton this year just by reading these boards and doing a little bit of research. I had a successful 2012, but I have even bigger goals this year.

 

2012 Recap:

  • Improved my scores from the mid 600's to the 730 range.
  • Successfully had a 30 day late and medical collection removed from mine and my wife's credit reports, respectively.
  • Reduced my CC utilization from 60% to 33%.

2013 Goals:

 

  • Hit 760 across the board on my scores.
  • Reduce my CC utilization to below 10%.
  • Have the final two 30 day lates removed from my credit reports.
  • Buy a new car by April.
  • Obtain my first mortgage.

Good luck to everyone on their credit journey this year! Credit repair takes time, but it will be worth it in the end!



Starting Score: 671 TU (1/29/12), 653 EQ (1/29/12)
Current Score: 740 TU (5/5/13), 759 EQ (6/5/13), 745 EX (6/15/13)
Goal Score: 800+


Take the myFICO Fitness Challenge
Message 10 of 735
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