OK, I did not go BK, and I did not go CCCS. I simply started payment arrangements with each creditor and got two new jobs. But damage was already done. I was allowed to keep all my cards (I'm closing a few myself as I pay them off) I am not going to work on all 3 at once, it's too crazy. Now my negatives on Experian are: MBNA, 1 60 day late $313 over credit limit Target, 1 30 day late $236 over credit limit (they lowered my limit) Sterling, 1 30 day late $23 over credit limit Capital One, 1 30 day late $105 over credit limit Capital One, 1 30 day late $264 over credit limit Toyota Motor Credit, 1 90 day late (OUCH!) People's, 1 30 day late Citibank, 1 60 day late $330 over credit limit Cross Country Bank, 1 30 day late $300 over credit limit Bank One, 1 30 day late $196 over credit limit Remaining positives: Dell, since 11/2001 Dell since 12/2001 American General, since 4/2002 Care Credit, since 4/2002 Chevron, since 4/2002 First USA, since 1/2002 MBNA, since 1/2002 Household, since 11/2001 My score is 388. I could CRY! OK, now where should I go from here?
TARGET lowered your limit CAUSING you to be OVER-LIMIT??? They did that for SPITE!!! They better credit ALL OVER-LIMIT CHARGES INCLUDING THE INTEREST ON THE OVER-LIMIT FEES!!!
How much can you put toward your cards right now? Can you keep them all current plus pay a bit more to get as many as possible under the limits?
I can't get them under the limits just yet. Fortunately, with the payment plans they stop the OTL fees. I am waiting for a huge tax refund check. I also am selling the few things I have left on Ebay. As each card gets paid, I am closing it. It will be too tempting to pay bills with the cards again and I don't want to ever be in this boat again. I will probably keep 2-3 of them.
Once you've gotten your balances squared away, most of your other seem to be minor lates. Are all those 30-day lates in about the same time-frame? One suggestion would be to not close anything right away as you then lose some leverage but instead put them in the sock drawer or freeze in a bowl of water... whatever. Once a card is paid down write a goodwill letter (do search on it) and explain the tragedy which caused you get behind/go over limit, it was a one time thing, you've learned and grown from the experience... and if they can please show you some mercy and remove this single itty-bitty late. 0
