PURR-fect Credit

2. Rebuilding

When should I start looking to rebuild my credit? Once the discharge has been posted to your bureaus. Download the following apps to monitor your credit and be wise about what you're applying for. The number is inquiries on your credit will make your score go down if there are too many inquiries.

• Experian app – This one is probably the most accurate credit score indicator and it also has tips to improve your score but there isn’t a cute cat involved.
• Freecreditreport.com – You can get ONE free credit report annually, so do that and dispute anything that doesn’t look right. Don’t go crazy disputing everything that you don’t like because that is a waste of everyone’s time. If you see an account on the report that is showing as NEGATIVE/PAST DUE instead of “Discharged in Bankruptcy”, though, file a dispute on that and send a copy of your discharge notice with the dispute so that it is easy for the person working a t the bureau to make the appropriate change.
• CreditKarma app – The scores on here are aspirational for sure but they can recommend some credit cards with good approval odds…just watch out for fees!
  

4. Banking

Let meow be the first to tell you…the only person that has a relationship with your bank or credit union is YOU. There’s a reason that you have an account number at your financial institution. THEY ARE NOT THAT INTO YOU. Knowing that, here are my banking recommendations:

• Discover.com: I’m not talking about the credit card. I’m talking about the bank. To my knowledge, this is the only bank that gives you a DEBIT card with 1% cash back on purchases! I have known some people who weren’t approved, though. If you are approved, though, you can make deposits on your phone or at LOTS of Allpoint ATMs. Most of the ATMs that I’ve seen are inside Walgreens, Target or gas stations.
• CapitalOne.com: I know. I know. You probably included them in your bankruptcy because everyone has a CapitalOne card. They are “what’s in your wallet.” Still, their bank is super convenient, like Discover but they will give you a Mastercard Debit card that is accepted just about everywhere.
• Chase Bank: if you just MUST have a brick and mortar bank to go to, my favorite is Chase. Credit unions and some Wells Fargo and Bank of America deposit accounts are pledged as security for any credit accounts and that’s why I don’t prefer them. Chase doesn’t do that at all and that’s why they are my favorite standard bank.