The Great American Credit-Off: How Our Contestants Are Doing After 4 Months

This series is sponsored by CreditRepair.com. Every credit journey is different, and CreditRepair.com doesn’t guarantee the same results for each individual.

Whether you need to finance a car or get your name on an apartment lease, we all know how important it is to have a solid credit score. Of course, growing it can be a pain, not to mention elusive — but even though it takes time, it doesn’t have to be so time-consuming.

In partnership with CreditRepair.com, we’ve chosen three contestants to compete in the Great American Credit-Off. They’ll be competing in 3 different credit categories: 1) the largest increase in credit score, 2) the biggest improvement in monthly credit utilization rate, and 3) paying off the highest percentage of consumer debt.

CreditRepair.com has provided all participants with 6 months of free access to their services. We’ll be following their progress here and on our Instagram page and announcing the winners in October. Here, we’ve asked each participant to tell us a little about themselves, including where they currently stand credit-wise, and what they hope to gain from increasing their credit score with the help of CreditRepair.com. Here’s what they all had to say:

Mallorie

1. What is your current FICO credit score?

502 (up from 490)

2. What have you been doing to increase your credit score since we last checked in?

I’ve been making sure my bills are paid on time for the most part. I’ve also researched secured credit cards that I’m thinking of adding into rotation to get my credit utilization up.  

3. Do you feel like you’re closer to your major money goals than you were when we last checked in in March? Why or why not?

I would say in May I was closest to my money goals. I had a nice little emergency fund saved up and I was (and still am) keeping track of all funds in and funds out via an excel spreadsheet. A monthly budget of sorts. It’s been insane to go through my bank account statements twice a month. It’s really helped me understand where my funds are going, and I figured out exactly what my monthly expenses are because of this. Things are a bit different now since I was laid off in the beginning of June, but all bills are still on time and I’m currently in the market for a new job!

4. How has your experience been working with CreditRepair.com so far?

I would say that my experience with CreditRepair has been fantastic. I think it’s totally a game changer. My credit has jumped almost 60 points in just these last few months. They are honestly a lifesaver and I don’t know what I would have done without them. I can’t wait till my score gets even higher! 

Aniesha

1. What is your current FICO credit score? 

649 (up from 523)

2. What have you been doing to increase your credit score since we last checked in? 

I have been paying down my credit card debt and paying the interest on my student loans. 

3. Do you feel like you’re closer to your major money goals than you were when we last checked in in March? Why or why not? 

Yes, with not being able to go out and spend on things like the movies, clothes, and dinners I have been able to save as well as pay down credit cards. 

4. How has your experience been working with CreditRepair.com so far? 

I have just only begun working with them this week but the experience has been great thus far.

Jennifer*

What is your current FICO credit score? 

673 (up from 654)

2. What have you been doing to increase your credit score since we last checked in? 

Paying down my debt, not applying for new credit, making a budget and trying to learn to stick to it (not doing great on that front). 

3. Do you feel like you’re closer to your major money goals than you were when we last checked in in March? Why or why not? 

Small steps closer. I was actually denied refinancing my home in March, but got a call from my lender in May saying that I should reevaluate, and I was able to drop by interest rate by a full 1%. The realized savings is less than $100/month, but every penny counts. I’m hoping to be able to do that one more time and eventually drop by mortgage insurance to lower my overall costs by more than $250. I still haven’t been able to refinance my car loan, which is my big goal, because that’s one of the largest monthly bills. But I’m taking the patient approach and waiting until the time is right. In the meantime, I quarterly review refi options that don’t impact my credit so I can be sure I’m making the best choices. 

4. How has your experience been working with CreditRepair.com so far? 

The initial experience was great with the account set up, but I haven’t heard much from them. I had forgotten I even had an account with them, until you reminded me. There were a few things that needed to be clarified on my account, but they weren’t hugely impactful. I think what I have learned is just how much my available credit matters, and I’d love to figure out how to boost that number so that I can remain under 30%.

*Jennifer prefers to use a pen name.

*****

If you’ve been struggling to grow your credit score, check out CreditRepair.com to learn more. They can help you work to repair, build, and maintain your credit score by working directly with the credit bureaus to challenge any unfair, inaccurate or unsubstantiated items on your credit report, and teaching you how to understand both your own score and the rating system. Every credit journey is different CreditRepair.com doesn’t guarantee the same results for each individual.

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