Hello Everyone, I'm a new member and consider this my first post even though it's a reply.
2001
I was 21 yo, lost full-time job and ended up filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. I wasn't in the credit game but I remember I had a used-auto loan replaced by a new-auto loan a year after. Also had several department cards and several unsecured credit cards. Everything wen down the drain in the bankruptcy exept a dell computer credit line that i decided to keep open and pay responsibly over time wich allowed me to slowly raise my credit from the low 500 to low mid 700s during the next 7 years.
2007
I was approved for the unsecured "Platinum Mastercard® from Capital One" ($2.5k SL) I was exited about finally getting back into the credit realm. I didn't realize back then what I hear now about being bucketed in the low profile for life within Capital One. That ok becuase this is the card that stretches my credit age average.
2012
I lend my credit to a "good" friend to buy a used card. He later quit his job and left me the car and the debt. Unfortunently that turned into a repo. Yeah, never doing that again. The good side of this is the wakeup call, I started to rebuild my credit.
2014
I was now in the market for a HOME and had a good salary or at least I thought. I learned I needed more income and improvement on my credit so comitted to that.
2017
While improving my score, I learned about rewards and cash back so I started with a Costco Visa, and thats when I joined the credit game. I explored diferent cards, diferent rewards and benefits. I put all my expenses on the Costco Visa
2019
With a score of 650 I was comitted to buy my first home, my strategy/trick to improve my chances was to pay off my credit card balances before the statement close date to report a 0 balance. My goal was to have my credit report reflect 0 balance accross all cards.
2020
approved for the "The Capital One Walmart Credit Card"
I was finally approved for an FHA home loan for 450K
2021
got me a nice home and closed escrow
approved for the Apple Card ($5k SL)$7k now
approved for the Amex Blue Cash Everyday ($6k SL)$18k now
approved for the BOA Customized Cash Rewards ($8k SL)
2022
approved for the Citi Custom Cash Card($9k SL)$13.5k now
approved for the NFCU More Rewards American Express® Card($25k SL)$30k now
approved for the BOA BankAmericard Platinum Plus ($9k SL)$18k now
approved for the Discover It card ($9k SL)$17.5k now
2023
approved for the AAA Rewards Plus ($18.4k SL)no CLI, they tried to plull my FROZEN equifax.
approved for NFCU used-auto loan
2024
approved for the Chase Sapphire Preferred ($20.4k SL)
Still here and aiming for the following, if you know any secrets, let me know;
U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card
NFCU Visa Signature® Flagship Travel Rewards Card
yam1rts
Bought first home in 2020.
Sold home Oct 2024.
Now trying to buy again.
2020 score - 640ish, good enough for FHA
Since then, it's plummeted to the low 500s.
Found a home we like, now have to get above 580 to secure another FHA loan.
Have collections to pay but previous lender I was working with, put me in contact with a credit repair agency. Thinking of cancelling the agency and doing my own repair to go with the new lender.
Once new FHA loan is secured, I want to get all my scores above 700 and work on refinancing, adding prime CCs and having a relatively new family vehicle for not-so-ridiculous monthly payments. Personally I drive a paid off vehicle to work and back. It's a Toyota 
Starting over again. Back is up against the wall but this time is different.
Starting Score: 700
Current Score: 566
Goal Score: 850
Take the myFICO Fitness Challenge
Starting Score: EQ 537 TU 580 EX 527