@jolandry wrote:
Hey everyone,
I’m looking for help and advice from as many places as possible, including here on myFICO. I went through a rough couple of years, but I’ve been rebuilding throughout 2025 and now have stable income and a solid financial foundation. My credit is still recovering, and I want to make smart moves from here.
My current situation:
Veteran: 100% disabled and now P&T.
Income: ~$205K/year from VA benefits, W2 job, side work, and financial aid.
Cash on hand: ~$5K available to put toward strategic improvements.
Credit scores: Mid-500s to high-500s depending on the bureau.
Credit issues:
Multiple charge-offs, most of which are over a year old.
Some (e.g., Mariner, BMG Money, Possible Finance) refuse to settle.
Affirm is nearly 3 years old, has several 31-day late payments, and only reports to Experian, which disproportionately drags that bureau down. I’ve tried goodwill requests—no luck.
Recent late payments on OpenSky (April/May 2025). I already tried removing them.
Listed in ChexSystems from a BCU overdraft—mostly NSF fees, not actual spending.
Recently settled Discover and Kohl’s/Capital One accounts.
Open/Active accounts:
Ally auto loan: $40K at 17.9% APR—new loan.
US Bank: Two secured credit cards ($300 each).
Capital One Quicksilver Secured: $200 limit.
Discover It Cash Back: $500 unsecured (restarted relationship after settling old charge-off).
Navy Federal: Rebuilt my relationship. Paid off $3,950 charge-off. I now have three active accounts, two CDs, and approximately $ 10,000 per month running through them.
Goals:
Get to 700+ FICO by early/mid 2026.
Upgrade to better credit cards (primarily through Navy Fed).
Refinance the car loan as soon as possible once your scores improve.
Build business credit (LLC, EIN, DUNS, Nav Prime already in place).
Exit subprime completely.
Looking for advice on:
Should I continue to settle older charge-offs or let them age out?
Best way to manage the Affirm issue (hurting Experian only)?
Should I close low-limit secured cards later this year?
When to apply for new cards or start seeking unsecured limits?
Timing and credit profile needed to refinance my auto loan?
What is the best way to maximize Navy Federal and US Bank relationships?
I appreciate any help or feedback. I’ve worked hard to stabilize everything this year and want to ensure I take the most informed next steps.
Thanks.
*Set a task list for what you need to accomplish before the end of the month.
Make it easy and efficient.
How much can you pay off within the next week? Do it.
When you can set aside time to call NF? call and ask for removal of CO
Write your next GW letter tonight. Mail tomorrow if possible.
Keep utilization low and learn your statement close dates so that when CC reports
balances, you have the lowest balance to report. This is 30% of your FICO score.
Pay down CC balances as low as possible a few days before statement close,
because even if you pay on time, they report balances when the statement is
cut and that is 30% of your FICO score. You can have a nice payment history
but are missing out on points if you consistently have high cc balances reporting.
(read up on this)
Maybe use proceeds from CDs, when the mature, to pay chargeoffs?
Pay chargeoffs before they go to collections and then you have to major problems (charge off + collection) on your reports
Ask lender for upgrade to unsecured cards, when your scores improve
Open savings account with NF to help improve relationship. No guarantee.
Good luck!
