If you were in a difficult financial situation, and were forced to file bankruptcy, you should view your bankruptcy filing as an opportunity for a fresh start in your financial affairs and the first step toward rebuilding your credit. After the bankruptcy, you will be able to rebuild your credit and work toward reestablishing your financial future. After the bankruptcy, many debtors are tired of dealing with credit and debt issues that they delay reestablishing their credit. If you received a discharge in your bankruptcy, or are currently making payments pursuant to a Chapter 13 plan, you can start rebuilding your credit. The first step in doing so is obtaining your credit report and challenging any inaccurate information contained in it. If you eliminate any inaccuracies in your credit report, this is likely to improve your credit score. The next step in reestablishing your credit is to obtain a credit card, and use it responsibly. You have to make sure that you make at least the minimal charges and try to pay off the balance in full every month. Even if you have to obtain a secured credit card, it will help you establish a history of payments demonstrating your financial responsibility. The same is true with respect to any other bills you may have such as utilities, rent, mortgage, or any other form of credit. The more you demonstrate your financial responsibility, the higher your credit score will rise. If you are meeting your bills, you may begin requesting credit increase after 6 months or payments or trying to switch from a secured credit card to unsecured credit card. Since an increase in your credit limit indicates that the lender trusts you to repay the debt, your credit score will continue to rise.
At the same time, you have to be careful to avoid credit traps that may set back this rebuilding process. As you work your way to financial health, make sure you steer clear of these common post-bankruptcy dangers. One very common danger is a simple failure to plan. You will not have any debt if you receive a Chapter 7 bankruptcy discharge, however, that will stay so as long as your expenses do not exceed your earnings. While it seems obvious, many people forget that their continued financial health depends on persistent awareness of those facts.
Another solution to common post-bankruptcy problems is developing a budget and following it. Since all filers are required to take the financial management course during the bankruptcy, the suggestions given in the course should be followed to stay out of debt.
Avoid over-reliance on credit since it is what pushed you into bankruptcy in the first place. After bankruptcy, you should avoid costly sources of credit and to try to pay off any credit balances every month.
It is also important to avoid credit repair scams that promise to wipe out bad credit, erase your credit history or achieve anything else that seems too good to be true. It takes time to rebuild your credit and if you follow the steps outlined above, your credit will improve. Any quick fixes or schemes will likely cost you money and hurt your credit. Instead, pay off your bills every month, don’t open more credit cards than you need and stick with your budget. Over the course of a couple years, you should see your credit improve.
As you are working on rebuilding your credit, be careful selecting credit card offers. Make sure that you are fully aware of the interest rates and fees. You can visit a site like bestcreditcards.com to see different options available to you.
With some planning, discipline and determination, you will be able to rebuild your credit and even improve your credit score after filing bankruptcy.
If you are dealing with debt problems in Rochester, New York, Canandaigua, Brighton, Pittsford, Penfield, Perinton, Fairport, Webster, Victor, Farmington, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Parma, Brockport, Spencerport, LeRoy, Chili, Churchville, Monroe County, Ontario County, Wayne County, Orleans County, Livingston County, and being harassed by bill collectors, and would like to know more about how bankruptcy may be able to help you, contact me today by phone or email to schedule a FREE initial consultation.