Personal bankruptcy rates fluctuate, but always remain at fairly high levels. If you have gone through bankruptcy and are finally serious about getting your credit and finances in order, you may be wondering how long it will take for your credit rating to get back to a level where you can get better interest rates on mortgages and car loans.
If people have had poor actions that have led them down the path of bankruptcy, all is not lost. Credit repair after bankruptcy is not only possible, it's critical for the individual to accomplish or they will continue to only tread water. Bankruptcy allows people to have a new fresh start by wiping all of the debt away and begin to project a positive credit history.
One thing you will want to consider is getting a secured credit card and not try to get unsecured credit lines. This is because while your credit score is low, you are likely to get rejected, and this will also show up on your credit history and keep your score low.
You can expect your credit score to rise gradually and get back to normal range within up to ten years. That is if you do not get into more debt trouble and take some steps to improve your score. It may feel unreasonably long, but unfortunately credit is important in today's society and we don't have a lot of control over how our scores are determined. And you can be thankful that your debt has been eliminated by bankruptcy, so you have a second chance you wouldn't otherwise have.
Some Steps For Credit Repair After Bankruptcy
You have a fresh start, so it is a great time to evaluate where you are financially. I know it sounds boring, but you need to understand how much you make and where you spend it. You should make a budget if you want to really take control and see some real financial progress.
The second thing that people can do is to change their lifestyle. This means no buying on a whim. Really plan your purchases. This includes paying yourself first, by putting money away for your future financial goals like a house, college for your kids, and retirement. Then live on the rest. You can have an amount for impulse buys, but use cash only for them.
If impulse buying was what got you into trouble before, find a way to short circuit that tendency. Aren't at least a little mad at yourself and the finance companies for your previous debt problems? Resolve to keep them out of your life this time. One good trick is to wait a day to buy that thing you think you just have to have. You will find that almost always the urge goes away.
Realize that you are more than your purchases. This may sound sort of strange when discussing financial problems, but I think it works. Your deeper happiness and satisfaction has nothing to do with what you own. And even Imelda Marcos was not buried with the hundreds of pairs of shoes she owned. As you find activities that bring true lasting joy, I think you will find that it will not include buying things. You will be spending less, be free from the debt burden of the past, and be repairing your credit after your bankruptcy.
Author Paul McDermott shares his experience with credit repair after bankruptcy and other credit and debt issues at Credit Repair. This and other unique content 'credit repair after bankruptcy' articles are available with free reprint rights.
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