I use to have an excellent credit score (751), but at 19 I got custody of my teenage sister and had to support her, myself, escape an abuse situation, and I moved halfway across the country twice! Being young while caring for a young person has killed my credit.
I have a credit card in collections(Kohl's for about $350), a credit card still open at $1000 but it's maxed out and I haven't been making recent payments, and last March I was evicted from an apartment (total slumlord and slum apartment it was an awful situation).
I am planning on completely paying off my open credit card this month. I have also successfully rented somewhere since my eviction but my credit score is now in the 400s.
What is a reasonable goal to set for getting my score to? How long will it take? Is it a good idea to completely pay off my open card or should I pay it off in a few payments?
Side note: I also have lot of medical debt. I have been sick since a child and unless I win the lottery I doubt I will ever pay it all off. But I have heard this doesn't affect you as much as other debts, and clearly my previous score reflected that.
Thanks.
Submitted February 03, 2018 at 01:44PM by informedbutcurious http://ift.tt/2E1gkcQ
