I have accomplished a lot in the last year. Got rid of some dumb high apr store cards, Got rid of another high apr regular bank card. I got into the Amex family (finally), got into the chase family, paid down half of my credit card debt, and got 5 of my cards to raise my limits this year.
I did face some financial challenges too like having a bunch of dental work done for me and my son, which didn't help with debt(thank you crappy dental insurance) and helping my mom pay down a little debt so she wouldn't have her credit report with negatives and credit card taken away( she had breast cancer and needed help) So paying down my debt came to a standstill for 5 months. But i am buying very little this Christmas ( rest of family kinda broke too) and I'm gonna keep paying down my debt.
@devilnic wrote:I have accomplished a lot in the last year. Got rid of some dumb high apr store cards, Got rid of another high apr regular bank card. I got into the Amex family (finally), got into the chase family, paid down half of my credit card debt, and got 5 of my cards to raise my limits this year.
I did face some financial challenges too like having a bunch of dental work done for me and my son, which didn't help with debt(thank you crappy dental insurance) and helping my mom pay down a little debt so she wouldn't have her credit report with negatives and credit card taken away( she had breast cancer and needed help) So paying down my debt came to a standstill for 5 months. But i am buying very little this Christmas ( rest of family kinda broke too) and I'm gonna keep paying down my debt.
Life happens !!! Sounds like you are facing those challenges and doing it well. I've had down years, struggle years and good years - here's to wishing you continued strength and more progress in 2020 !!
@devilnic - Life can knock you back, but that's when we keep fighting and working to continue working towards properity! My situation was similar in 2017, I blinded myself in one eye temporarily and had to have multiple surgeries. I use a doctors office that does not take me insurance and had to pay out of pocket, so those bills went straight to my CCs to cover the costs.
But we take the opportunities that come across and can help us grow! Kudos on helping your mom too! I hope she continues on her healthy journey.
@Lucifer wrote:
@devilnic wrote:I have accomplished a lot in the last year. Got rid of some dumb high apr store cards, Got rid of another high apr regular bank card. I got into the Amex family (finally), got into the chase family, paid down half of my credit card debt, and got 5 of my cards to raise my limits this year.
I did face some financial challenges too like having a bunch of dental work done for me and my son, which didn't help with debt(thank you crappy dental insurance) and helping my mom pay down a little debt so she wouldn't have her credit report with negatives and credit card taken away( she had breast cancer and needed help) So paying down my debt came to a standstill for 5 months. But i am buying very little this Christmas ( rest of family kinda broke too) and I'm gonna keep paying down my debt.
Life happens !!! Sounds like you are facing those challenges and doing it well. I've had down years, struggle years and good years - here's to wishing you continued strength and more progress in 2020 !!
Ahh Thank you!
@NuMeNuDay wrote:@devilnic - Life can knock you back, but that's when we keep fighting and working to continue working towards properity! My situation was similar in 2017, I blinded myself in one eye temporarily and had to have multiple surgeries. I use a doctors office that does not take me insurance and had to pay out of pocket, so those bills went straight to my CCs to cover the costs.
But we take the opportunities that come across and can help us grow! Kudos on helping your mom too! I hope she continues on her healthy journey.
Ouch!! I'm sorry that happened to you. I always get back up and try again. And thank you for the kind words
Well finally my Fico 8 Scores returned to 850 (three month drop due to taking on $690 BT and loosing an old closed account off of my CBs)! Also, after twenty-five statements FNBO (upon my call) increased my credit limit by $5,000 with no inquiries. Gardening works. 
@Kenny wrote:
As we approach the holidays, the stress of overspending can be tremendous. What steps are you taking so that you ring in the New Year not drowning in debt? What new ideas or plans do you have so that 0% promos don't sway you away from your goals? If you have a plan or strategy that you would like to share, please do!
I know you are all hard at work with your credit goals. Have you progressed as far as you hoped? Were there any unforseen expenses that cropped up and may have thrown you off schedule?
As a reminder, participation in these monthly check-ins is optional, but encouraged. The goal is to help keep you on track, so feel free to post your progress updates here. This is a no-judge zone; feel free to say what's keeping you up at night or give yourself a kudo for having it all together.
Did you hit any potholes or speedbumps? Achieve some milestones, either small or mighty? Change your goals or add new ones?
Let us know how you're doing!
What have been your biggest accomplishments
and obstacles so far in the myFICO Fitness Challenge this year?
@Kenny wrote:
As we approach the holidays, the stress of overspending can be tremendous. What steps are you taking so that you ring in the New Year not drowning in debt? What new ideas or plans do you have so that 0% promos don't sway you away from your goals? If you have a plan or strategy that you would like to share, please do!
I know you are all hard at work with your credit goals. Have you progressed as far as you hoped? Were there any unforseen expenses that cropped up and may have thrown you off schedule?
As a reminder, participation in these monthly check-ins is optional, but encouraged. The goal is to help keep you on track, so feel free to post your progress updates here. This is a no-judge zone; feel free to say what's keeping you up at night or give yourself a kudo for having it all together.
Did you hit any potholes or speedbumps? Achieve some milestones, either small or mighty? Change your goals or add new ones?
Let us know how you're doing!
What have been your biggest accomplishments
and obstacles so far in the myFICO Fitness Challenge this year?
Merry Christmas everyone!
Has the 2020 challenge link been posted yet? Eager to get this started, will be my first challenge, looking to be held accountable 
@Anonymous wrote:Well finally my Fico 8 Scores returned to 850 (three month drop due to taking on $690 BT and loosing an old closed account off of my CBs)! Also, after twenty-five statements FNBO (upon my call) increased my credit limit by $5,000 with no inquiries. Gardening works.
Shine bright like a diamond!
Haven't really been keeping track but I think I got a clean datapoint of 3 -> 1 inquiries on EQ FICO 5 +12 so yeah, when every point matters gardening is absolutely the way to go.
Surprisingly to me I'm only 20 points away from the real world max on EQ FICO 5 now and that's with some blemishes too. Will see what the reason codes are with my annual pull in a few days but it's interesting to me anyway given how much that score HATED me when dirty, and now it's one of my best when clean.
Nothing really to report for December except the inquiries fading to gray and prettying up my report for 1/1/2020 pull to ring in the new year.
Hope everyone's holiday is excellent and see you on the flip side!
