I've been lurking in these forums and I've done a lot of reading. My credit is becoming more important to me now than it has been in the past 7 years so I thought I would seek out some guidance.
I'll start with the fact I'm on disability and have been for about 5 1/2 years so I have a fixed income. I do work on the side, but that last few years have been a real struggle and it's been only slowly getting better.
Filed bankruptcy while with my ex in 2010, discharged in November 2010.
Currently what I have on my reports are:
1. Capital One Secured Card (obtained off recommendations from here and has already started to help).
2. Student Loans - I have two options here and I've been mulling them both over. I've been working to get off Disability, but it could take some time. This puts me in a catch 22, I can either do an income based repayment (which would be minimum $5/month) that would rehabilitate the loans and show them as paid on time in about 9 to 10 months from what I'm told or I can go for a disability discharge. The catch is if I obtain gainful employment within 3 years they can reinstate the entire amount due on the loans.
3.) There are three collections I intend to deal with, just not sure the best way. One is for DirecTV from an account in 2011, but is reporting as collections from 2016?? Second is Progressive Insurance for $156 and the final one shows on at least one report (experian) but is no longer valid. I paid the creditor directly not the collection agency. This was before I was frequenting the forums, and long story short I had to pay it off (good reason).
I also have a state tax lien at the moment, which is reporting at least on Equifax and I thought on TU, but not Experian. Story of why, but I won't get into that.
There is also a fingerhut chargeoff from 12/13.
I was floating just around 500 with all of them. After the state tax lien was re-added on Equifax I took a hard hit there.
All have started to rebound though with the new Capital One Secured.
Equifax: 487
TU: August 26th, 459 and on September 8th it is at 482.
Experian: 7/5 - 494, 9/10 - 522.
Few things I already have/am doing. I have one "Paid in Full and ontime" account showing for Aaron's sales and lease (only one I know of like that which reports to CU). This is older but I have a TV I just got from there and I've paid 3 out of 12 months. I believe they report at 6 months then report payoff at 12 IIRC.
Now to why I'm finally posting after browsing this for years and constantly reading.
I'm buying a doublewide manufactured home, 1977 24x60 (14440 sq. ft.). I'm getting financing from a private party for the $9,000 I need for it (story, but it's worth a lot more) @ 15.5%. I don't mind this because the lot rent + home payment + taxes + insurance is about what I'm paying now and I will be 4 miles closer to my son's school cutting my transportatoin costs.
What this home does need is a remodel. In order to facilitate it faster I already intend on getting a roommate.
My goal here is to get my credit up enough so I can look at possibly a home depot/lowe's card to help with this or another credit card, etc...
So, I'm all ears for recommendatoins on my best way to proceed.
I also own two vehicles which are both paid for but the titles have not been released (family member has them and won't sign them off but I have documentation to force the issue showing they are paid off if necessary).
I'm also open to advice on financial management and other methods to rebuild my credit and savings.
Regarding the Ticket to Work and Voc Rehab, I know of both. Unfortunately we do not have a quality voc-rehab program here so I will be going through an Employment Agency that works with the ticket to work when I'm ready.
And, for furture employment of what my goals are (I won't go into it here) my credit actually matters.