Husband lost job and was off work for 5 months, just went bak with a 8 paycut and no benefits.  Our credit shot down from 730 median score to 499 to 515, we just couldn't pay our bills.  Now cannot even get a home equity loan.
135826
Walk into your local credit unions and sit down with them to ask for loans.  Also Aames Home Loan (based in Los Angeles, CA) specializes in "risky lenders".
388887
Yes it will keep your fico score down as long as they continue to report it every month.\nYes its possible you can get a new credit card but the rates will be higher.http://www.hsbcusa.com/personal/credit_cards/orchard_mastercard_product_info.html\n4.You can try to wait them out and it will get a little better but your score will stay low as long as they report on you even if you have good accounts.\nTo be honest its no way to beat the system you have to pay your debts or your credit will be bad and you will have a low fico score.\nI just went through the whole thing, I only had one bad account a credit card charge off. All of my other bills were in good standing but I saw my score drop to 558. I waited and disputed the original creditors and got them removed. The collection agency that bought the account started to report as my score increased back up to 640 the collection agency would report it as late derogatory, charge off. I was back down to the 550 range. You have to be careful because if the balance is high enough they will sue you in court and possibly garnish your wages and enter a judgment on your credit report. It was a headache for me so finally I just settled the debt and disputed it off my credit report. Good Luck! and here is a link that may help you find some information on disputes and debt validation etc.\n\nhttp://credit-repair-basics.credit-repair-forums.com/
241550
You each have your own distinct credit ratings.  They will not combine unless you get joint loans.\n\nYou can actually use this to your advantage.  If you husband has good income, use your good credit to help him build his score back up.  Co-sign for a card or loan under his name, and keep up the payments. \n\nWhen I got married, my wife came with "baggage" from her previous marriage and had terrible credit.  I had a good job and excellent credit, so I co-signed on a couple cards, and co-signed for a car in her name.  Now her credit is super!  Took a couple years but it worked, and was totally painless.\n\nJust keep up your payments.
565615
There is no way  around the bad credit.   Sounds like you will have to establish  the credit again.   Good luck though.
128114
Call the credit report agency and they should be able to help you. An inquiry on your credit report once in awhile does not look bad. It's when you've got alot of inquiries all in a short amount of time that knocks your credit score down. That is because it looks like you are applying for too much credit all at once and it makes you a "risk". And this is just a thought about that unknown inquiry on your report- did you file you taxes and get the next day "tax anticipation loan"? Because they do pull your credit for that. Just an idea. Good luck
52289
I have been in a similar boat as you. My husband has migranes and was refered to a sepcialist/psychologist/CAT scans/ect.... We never dreamed that the insurance company wouldn't cover most of this so we were stuck with over 10k in debt. His credit score was the national lowest. Over a period of 2 years we have been paying one bill at a time. Most of these are collection. We pay the newest ones first because they are considered more "credit" worthy? (if thats the right term) If you pay the bills that are older first it looks like you take on new debt not to re-establish credit but to get by. Credit companies don't like that. So pay the newer ones first. It takes alot! of time and patients.\nIf you were to pay off all of your bills at once it wouldn't change your credit score overnight either. It takes time for it all to be processed. You may even have to provide proof of payment to your credit agency. Trans Union so forth. Use bankruptcy as a last resort. Bankruptcy laws are different but mostly for large companies. Bankruptcy still has a negative effect on your credit for like 10 years or something. So while you can pay little by little over a period of a few years and all the while your credit score will go up and up, filing bankruptcy will cause you to suffer credit wise for the next 10 years!\nOn the up side, after you file bankruptcy I believe its like 6 months and you are eligible for certain types of high intrest credit loans. (car/bank) but not financing on a home or anything costing alot of money. I don't know the law on that too well but I think thats right.\nAs someone said before, you can always talk to a lawyer. Make sure you have all of your bills and a copy of your credit report. A lawyer may be able to suggest a good option other than bankruptcy. \n\nTo rebuild credit means to pay off old debt. In the mean time you go without credit. If you have cards cancel them. Until you get your balances back to a "safe" level do NOT use them. After you cancel your current cards you may find it difficult to get new cards right away. That should tell you something. Stop using them. Ok ok. There will come a point when your credit will start to improve. Keep away from the cards until all the debt you have will fit onto one card (low monthly payments) Use this card to "build" your credit to an even better standing, say 600. Keep it up and your looking at about 20 points every 6 months. So it isn't impossible, but it is hard. You really have to want to avoid bankruptcy and repair your credit the good way. \n\nDon't waste your time with "credit counselors" unless its through your bank. They charge soo much money for their services. You end up paying them more than creditor.
559647
That's why you need Disability Insurance......\nI am not sure but there are certain banks who would like to refi. Since the score has dropped, it will be higher rate, I would recommend you to consider Home equity instead and don't touch the 1st mortgage if its under 6.5%.\nDo any of you have any life insurance or retirement account? may b you can borrow money out of it. (if borrowing against life insurance, make sure to keep the coverage continue)\n\n\nTry www.bankrate.com
4994
If you get a personal loan from a local bank and make your payments on time your credit score would go up over time.  If you already have bad credit consider a secured loan (requires collateral of some sort).  However, the positive factors from this loan would take some time (6 months to a year) to actually improve your credit score.  If you are just thinking of getting a loan for quick improvement then do not do it, as getting a personal loan right before applying for a home loan might show that you are over extended.
170666
As far as the credit cards go, I feel for you, I'm in the same boat.  I called all my cards last week and had one card drop the APR by 2% and another card drop the APR by 8%.  First step is to call all your credit cards and see who will drop those interest rates some.  This will lower your minimum monthly payments a little.\n\nLook for some really part-time jobs that are close to your house, one-two day a week jobs.  This is good for a little extra cash and doesn't take a lot of time.\n\nHold yard sales every weekend in the spring and summer.  If you don't have a lot of your own to sell, hit other yard sales for really good deals or hit the salvation army and goodwill for really cheap items that you might be able to mark up a bit.  \n\nIf you have clothing or some old books, used cellphones or friends with used cellphones that they will give you...list them on ebay for extra cash.\n\nTry babysitting or running errands for people.  See about doing laundry or going grocery shopping for an elderly person.\n\nGet creative and if you need to...check into consumer credit counseling.  They can help you cut your monthly payment and stop interest from building and sometimes get rid of most of the interst you owe.  If you choose this option, you won't have any credit cards to use anymore and it will affect your credit score but it isn't bankruptcy and as soon as you are paid in full you can begin rebuilding your credit again.  IF you are behind or have some late or missed payments on your credit report or collection accounts...look into consumer credit counselling.  If you are still making your payments you may want to wait a while to see if you can get back on track yourself.\n\nGood Luck~
441309
Depending on what other bills you might have, I would consider buying a house instead of renting.  Even with a 578 mid score on your credit, you could qualify for 100% financing.
677014
your score dropped because you have too much available  credit\nget rid of some of it
516294
=foreclosure sales are a hot item.  I would try to sell. Find a good RE company and list with them ASAP.  You may be able to save your credit rating and get a little cash as well.
502863
I am ever so slowly working on repairing mine. I went from having bad credit to no credit and now I have recieved offers from about 4 different places (two of which are department stores, the other two are regular credit cards), so I am just at the bottom, but I am going the right way! (My bad credit was caused by my getting married too young and having an ex who got me to sign checks that we knew would bounce...I'm just damn lucky I didn't end up in jail!) But I don't know how good your credit score has to be to get one of those home loans. I'm not to that point yet. My personal near future worry is paying off student loans since I will be finishing up a masters degree, so I won't be able to think about a house for a while yet. But it sounds like you (and me) are going the right direction! Good Luck!
217973
I would file tommorow if I was you, once they get a judgement you cant include them in your bankruptsy. I just filed in october and it was over in march. I downloaded the forms from gov.org website and did it myself, I filed it myself and included a form to ask the court for a payment plan for the court costs which were $187.00, to be made in payments. We filed chapter 7, and because we didnt have more than 25% equity in our home we got to keep it. We wernt behind on that bill. So we just keep on paying it like usuall. We got to keep one car for each of us. Both were already paid off. My husband had one judgement that was not allowed to be discharged. And our home equity loan and mortgage was not entered as a discharge, because we are still able to pay for that. We got $69,000 dollars worth of debts discharged (meaning we don't have to pay them)The day you file, you have to pay $50 dollars toward the total if you file the form asking for the payment plan. The forms are kinda hard to understand at first.The packet is about 20 pages. One ask to list all secured debts, which are home loans or car loans. And then you list all your unsecured debts on one page meaning credit cards and hospital bills and the like with all the totals and names and addresses of the debtors, and then a page to list your income and what your personal assets are like jewlery, art work etc. Just work one page at a time, you can do it. But work fast before the judgement, and don't tell them you are doing it. The day you file you and get a number you are protected from them harrassing you, calling you or sueing you. The papers are free to download of the government web page. You have to decide which one to file chapter 7, 11, 13 depending on you particular circumstances. 7 is total and if you own more that 25% equity in a home they can sell the home to satisfy the debtors. 13 is a repayment plan I think. And state to state has different rules. Now you have to have credit counciling to, I think. The second web site has the forms free to download and the rules of the credit counciling and a listing of the individual states that you would live in. I hope this has helped you. Remember the law was set up for you to help you, when you cant pay the bills. Dont let anyone shame you. Its your right to file..
551947
Keeping lines of communication open is good. Also, try to make any payment you possibly can. At this point, you may have to bite the bullet and get ANY job just to pay the bills. You can still search for a permanent job but it would be crazy to lose a house you almost have paid off if you can go down the street and get a job at fast food, a retail store, etc. Heck, deliver pizzas! If you can possibly do so, get a roommate. Do whatever it takes to bring in some money (legally) and keep the lender aware of all your efforts. Once you get 4 mths behind, they can start the foreclosure process. If your credit is okay, and since you have some equity in your home, you may be able to take out a home equity line of credit - but I'm not a big fan of treating your home as a bank, esp when the problem is that you have no money to pay the mortgage as it is....it's like robbing from Peter to pay Paul. Because you're going to have to then pay back on the HELOC as well. So this would be a last resort.
78402
Even if you have bad credit, but have good income, you have a good chance. But you're not meeting the criteria in either side. Bankruptcy is the last thing should come in mind. In your case I rather suggest you talk to a good good home refinancing or mortgage company. Try also to find someone to co-sign with good credit or high income.\nSee if you can talk to one of the agents in http://www.LendingTree.com they have connections with various banks, and online companies.
469687
ask someone to cosign for you OR  try buying a Ford, they have super liberal loan terms.  they need the business so bad right now that they are lending people with credit scores less than 500 (albeit higher interest costs)....good luck