Just looking for any helpful hints from people as to how you keep your credit repair organized? I've recently been discharged and am about to embark upon my credit repair and am looking for ways to keep all the various reports, letters, green cards etc organized. I've been thinking one big 3 ring binder with it subdived into sections TU, EQ, and EX and then the reports behind it. Any helpful hints would be appreciated!
I keep four separate folders, one for each CRA and one for my correspondence to the OC's. Also, I'd make a fifth folder just for print-outs of notes and useful threads from this and other BBS's. A word of advice: make sure that you make copies of everything and send crrr or submit online so you have good, verifiable, tracking of all correspondence. They will make mistakes while conducting investigations and they will miss deadlines. If you don't have everything very well documented, you will lose all of your leverage. Its well worth the extra money if you are truly serious. Sounds like you're off to a good start.
I keep everything in files. Each CRA has its own file. It is kept in Chron order...oldest on bottom, newest on top. I use goldenrod paper with tabbies for reference. Everything is bound down. Also, on left hand side of file, I list all derogs on a piece of ledger paper. Each column reps a round of disputes. I enter date of dispute, the names, etc. When a round comes back, I udpate the columns with the results and move to the next column for the next round. It looks pretty cool when you start off with a ton and then as the columns go by, there are less and less. Good way for quick reference, especially if you are working with alot of derogs.
Microsoft Outlook's calendar is also a great way to set reminders for yourself (for example, when time has expired for the CRA's to respond to a letter). And then, when it comes down to improving your scores, reducing costs, reducing the amount of interest you pay, etc., a financial software program such as Quicken or Money are very valuable. Buckets
Some very good ideas here. I started my journey almost 1yr ago to the day. I went and bought a package of 10 folders that had flaps and elastic bands to close each. I started with 1 folder each for EXP, TU and EQ, and one each for each of the 4 derogs on my CR's. I soon added many more folders (and many sub folders for the CRA's and derogs). Some of the most helpful I added were ones for 'Sample Letters', 'Settlement Letters', FDCPA, FCRA, CRA Dispute info, CA dispute info, etc. Everything I collected from this site and others on the web I highlited and filed away in the appropriate folders. I can't tell you how helpful that was to me, as I could always look back and find the appropriate samples which I would use to model my letters after. Granted, my 'journey' still wasn't as organized as it could have been, but I did pretty well (for me!!). Down to only 1 6yr old derog on EQ and others are totally clean!! It's a LOT of work and organizing and takes a LOT of time, but it is definitely worth it. Just a few tips that I found helpful along the way: 1. Save EVERYTHING (esp RRR's, and ANY correspondences) And file it where you are CERTAIN that you KNOW where it is. 2. If you're being hounded by phone calls, make a folder to record dates, times, info, etc for every call 3. This one I haven't seen much, but was particularly helpful to me along the way: Get a printed version of your credit report every time(or almost) every time you check it. (Equifax Credit Watch does store your reports on-line for you which is a very nice feature) As you begin your repair, you will notice your report may begin to change....as the 'snoops' become aware that you are regularly viewing your report. Sometimes it's only little things like name variations, addresses, etc. Stay on top of these, as I was able to use them tremendously to my advantage....those darned CA's like to tinker with dates/amounts/etc and it is very helpful when disputing if you can show that on XXXX date that the DOLA was XXXXX and the dollar amount was XXXXX. No, they aren't supposed to change it without notifying you--but that wasn't the case for me at all....who knows, maybe they just don't like me! LOL! 4. And, to me the most important of all: before I jumped in and wrote my first letter, I spent countless hours on this site and others reading EVERYTHING I could find (and printing the info I needed for each of my derogs, as well as any sample letters I came across--and filed them in their appropriate files). I wrote some rough drafts and then spent almost 4 weeks doing more research before starting in earnest. Believe me, the information you need is here--many times EXACTLY the information you need. I know many people don't have the time to do this (not to mention the thousands of sheets of paper I used and the space to store them all!!), but it was invaluable to me. Sorry for rambling.....hopefully someone may find some helpful hints my 'haphazard' approach!!
I started with a binder and three sections. In the front of each section was a summary / tracking page for that credit agency. It was not too much longer before I had to move to 3 seperate binders. Then larger binders. I keep the latest replies on top and each binder has a section for summary page, my letters, their letters, their updated reports. When it seems to be going slow it is nice to look back and see the progress, even though it takes a long time. Good Luck and keep up the effort!
