Starting Score: EQ 511 TU 552 EX 545 8/29/2012
+1 What type of BK? What does your CR look like since? Any baddies? Positive TLs?
Starting Score: 504
Current Score: EQ FICO 819, TU08 775, EX "Who Knows?" Quizzle 756
Goal Score: All Scores 760+, Newest goal 800+
Take the myFICO Fitness Challenge
I consider myself "in good shape" coming up on three years from BK discharge. FICO scores just under 700 on EQ and TU, ample credit lines, a new home purchased and a zero interest car loan this year. My scores are probably higher than they've been since 2007 (due to high utilization back then).
I don't think you can become truly free of BK - even after the ten year period when it falls off the credit report you have to answer the "have you ever..." question accurately. Some lenders just won't deal with you if you have filed BK, and some of those you discharged (Amex for example) will blacklist you forever. My biggest concern, now that I have more than enough credit, is not to go back to using it excessively, and in a manner where an arbitrary decision to balance chase (BOA) collapses my scores like a house of cards by raising utilization.
Things I did right - NFCU (not everyone can join), used a secured Mastercard (USAA), cleaned up IIB items (took six months to get everything right). Worked through counseling with NACA to get a great mortgage on a new home.
Things I shouldn't have done - too many apps too soon. High fee low limit cards (CreditOne, First Premier), now closed.
