Very bad financial situation: PLEASE HELP?

Question

I have a very bad credit rating. When i say bad i mean B-A-A-A-D.

It started when i turned 18 and the temptation to get store cards was too much for me and I got 3 at once and was given high credit limits but didnt have the means to pay them all at the time as i only had a Saturday job.

If i knew what i know now about handling finances and credit I would have been more sensible and educated myself 1st before taking out credit.
My problem now is that my credit rating now is very bad i cannot even apply to open a current account without being declined straight away.
I now worry because I am 21 and would like to buy a house but if i cant open a current account my chances are very slim.
How can i improve my credit rating???

Its also funny how financial institutions are so quick to offer people credit but when you get in a bad situation they do not offer a service to help. Guess thats how they make money off of vunerable people.

Any good advice would be appreciated.

Answer 1

shyne, try Dave Ramsey's website and radio talk shows. He's been where you have been and now offers advice to others who are going through the same situation. Be prepared as Dave will tell you to eat "beans and rice, rice and beans" until you get your debts paid off. The website is http://www.daveramsey.com

I can give you my copy of his book if you would like it to get you started.

Answer 2

If you've got all your previous debts paid off, you're more than likely going to have to start from scratch.

Get a secured loan and/or a secured credit card (getting them from a credit union is sometimes better than a bank) Talk with someone in person there and explain the situation and ask if they have anything else that could help you (almost no one will turn you down for a secured loan or card because they've got nothing to lose) Make sure to pay all your bills, in full and on time. That should improve your score a bit and if you use the secured card well, the bank who issued it will usually be willing to give you an regular one after 6 or so months (depending on just how bad your credit is, maybe closer to a year)

This should get you back on track where you would be if you were just starting to establish credit. Maybe a small loan here or there, just make sure to not fall behind on payments. It'll take some time but you definitely don't want to go looking into a mortgage loan until you can get the best possible rates.

Answer 3

I owe over £145,000 to over 20 cards and loan companies believe me I know what you're going through.

Speak to your local Citizens Advice Bureau. Contact the Consumer Credit Counselling Service or try National Debt Line. They are all on the web.

It will all depend on whether your debts are now settled. There are mortgage companies that will lend to you but the rates will be higher than the High Street Banks etc. If you had a large deposit to put on a property you may find more willing to lend to you as they will see that you wouldn't want to lose the money you have personally invested.

The easiest way to get a current account is to first open a Savings Account, no credit check required, with either Abbey or Nationwide. After 6 months ask them if you can have a Current Account. They will give you preferential treatment for being an existing customer.

I hope this will help.

Answer 4

I guess you learned you r lesson that when you buy stuff you still eventually have to pay for it. That's nothing you should be expecting a creditor to tell you. If you're old enough for the card they figure you're old enough to understand what it is.

As for a house, there are programs for people with bad credit, you just end up paying a much higher interest rate. They know that if you default on your mortgage like you defaulted on your credit cards, they can boot you out into the street. It's the difference between secured and unsecured debt.

If you still don't understand any of this, you need to sit on the bench quite a while longer before you start thinking about credit and financing issues.

Answer 5

You'll have to spend at least the next three years a) buying everything you can using a credit card, and b) paying off the entire credit card balance each month on time. If you do this, the credit card company will gradually increase your credit line, and when a credit check is done, you will look good. It will take discipline, but it will work.

Answer 6

A really good place to get help with problems like this is the forums at www.moneysavingexpert.co.uk they are a really helpful bunch and know a lot of inside information. Someone there will be able to answer your question in no time and help you out a great deal. Good luck.

Answer 7

Go bankrupt you will not have to pay your existing credit bills and in 12 months your credit score will start at nil the only problem is you need £475 to go bankrupt

Answer 8

Try the basic bank account from HSBC.

It doesn't have an overdraft facilty and it's one of the few accounts that gives you a straight bank card rather than a debit card, so they'll approve pretty much anyone.

Answer 9

join the club, it is going to take you some time to get up the credit ladder, all you can do is pay your bills on time, no store cards and no credit cards, buy only what you can afford and start saving for a hefty deposit, cos if you cannot get a mortgage you are not going to be able to rent either, its going to take time

Answer 10

Go through this link as it's very clearly mentioned about credit rating.
http://www.joincreditexpert.com/freecreditreport/?sc=410094&bcd=pigsbackhoroscopescx