Hello,
I once had good credit, I was paying my bills on time, opening cards... Eventually getting my first Amex Blue Cash Everyday with a 2k starting limit. While opening all these cards and using them a small amount worked for awhile, I got myself into trouble at the very end of 2015, early 2016.
I have been in college 2 years, however, I unenrolled this semester so I can get my financial situation in order, working a full-time factory job, 7 days a week.
So, what happened is hard to explain in full detail so here is the breakdown:
1. I was only able to find a work-study job that paid 7.25 hr, only able to get 8 hours a week. *this was fine for some time, I was able to pay my bills I needed*
2. My 2nd year of uni, dorm prices spiked, tuition spiked, campus food plans spiked (already paying out of state tuition, stuck in final year of campus housing contract). Had trouble attaining any scholarships.
3. Ran out of meals as I had to lower my meal plan to afford attending.
4. Started using CC's to be able to eat.
5. Used my card to catch up on tuition payments not covered by aid (could not get a cosigner; no one in my family has good credit)
7. Bought a laptop on Amazon for my hobby of music production (ended up selling it recently to pay off some debt).
8. Managed to pay min on all cards for some time, then I gave up as they reached a point I could no longer afford.
9. Considered bankruptcy (decided not to).
Now here I am: Months of late payments stuck on my report, managed to arrange payments to remove collection accounts, but, the late payment history is still hurting me bad. Still playing catch up on Amex, and others.
I called Lexington Law on the 16th to see if they could help. I paid 14.99 for the credit report and am deciding to pay the $99 on the 1st of Oct.. but I am thinking now it is best not to, and to just get help here. I figure, I can write GW letters, etc on my own.. and pay off my debt faster.
I got denied a personal loan from Navy Federal (due to late payment history with creditors..), which I was going to use to pay off my Amex and catch up with that as Nationwide Credit is collecting on their behalf, charging me late fees even on a payment plan... (Amex said they can do nothing to help).
I need help and am unsure where to go from here. I have a busy work schedule, but am willing to put in the time that I can.
Lexington Law Credit Report Score: 531
*You currently have 3 NEGATIVE ITEMS affecting your credit score.*
| Accounts | 14 | Collection Accounts | 0 |
| Installment Accounts | 7 | Public Records | 0 |
| Revolving Accounts | 7 | Derogatory Accounts | 5 |
| Mortgage Accounts | 0 | Derogatory Historical Items | 18 |
| Credit Lines | 0 | Revolving Balances | $123.00 |
| Open Accounts | 0 | Revolving limits | $500.00 |
| Unspecified Accounts | 0 | Utilization Ratio | 24.60% |
| Inquiries | 16 | |
My Discover CC ($500) is the only card that I was always on time with, but they suspended my use due to past delinquencies with other cards (they will review my credit every month till I can use it again). My Discover is less than $40 balance (not updated till end of this month on CR).
5 Negative Accounts (accross all 3 agencies)
Account Type Date Open
| | AMERICAN EXPRESS | 120+day Late Payment | Jan, 2015 |
| | CAPITAL ONE BANK USA NA | Charge Off | Jan, 2015 |
| | NAVY FEDERAL CR UN | 120+day Late Payment | Jan, 2015 |
| | SYNCB/AMAZON PLCC | 90-day Late Payment | Jan, 2015 |
| | SYNCB/WAL-MART | Charge Off | Jan, 2015 |
9 Positive Accounts
| DEPT OF ED / NELNET | Positive Installment | Sep, 2014 |
| | DEPT OF ED / NELNET | Positive Installment | Feb, 2016 |
| | DEPT OF ED / NELNET | Positive Installment | Sep, 2015 |
| | DEPT OF ED / NELNET | Positive Installment | Sep, 2015 |
| | DEPT OF ED / NELNET | Positive Installment | Sep, 2014 |
| | DEPT OF ED / NELNET | Positive Installment | Sep, 2014 |
| | DISCOVER FINCL SVC LLC | Positive Revolving | Jun, 2014 |
| | ------- UNIV OF PA | Positive Installment | Aug, 2014 |
| | SYNCB/WAL-MART *Walmart reported card twice, this $0* | Positive Revolving | Jan, 2015 |
*------- hid school name for privacy
Thank you in advance..!!
