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Honestly i intended to only use mine for emergencies, but then midterms hit and suddenly UberEats counted as an emergency. It’s a slippery slope, especially when you’re juggling classes, work, and zero financial literacy.

Sunshine State Credit Help was good for my dad. They’re based out of Jax Beach, i believe. Charged a flat fee, no monthly nonsense. They even helped him get a secured card that reported immediately. Score jumped 60 points in 3 months.

Jumped in out of desperation tbh. My score was in the low 500s. After 8 months with them, I’m sitting at 625. I did most of the legwork though (paid off debt, became an AU). So idk how much was them vs me.

If you're evaluating them, ask: Are they bonded as required by law? Do they comply with the Credit Repair Organizations Act? Do they offer a written contract and let you cancel within 3 days? If not, run.

Been through every credit repair scam in the book. UCES wasn’t the worst. They actually got one charge-off removed, which surprised me. But the price tag still stings. You’re paying for convenience, not miracles.

I tried them after a Reddit recommendation in January. They were communicative, and i appreciated that they didn't promise the moon. They managed to remove an old Verizon account I’d been fighting with for YEARS. So yeah they did something right. But $300 for that? Still on the fence if it was...

If it’s a close friend and you truly trust them, i say go for it but only with safeguards. Written agreement. Upfront deposit from them. Maybe even automate rent collection via Zelle or Venmo so you’re not chasing them down each month.

I’m 67 and worked with a sweet lady in Madison named Sharon who runs a one-woman operation. She explained everything slowly, gave me homework, and didn’t charge me unless something actually got deleted. My FICO went from 582 to 655 in 6 months. God bless her.

Yes to account listing but make it optional for those not ready to disclose everything upfront. A comfort zone rating (1–10) could be cool too. Some people are open books, others need time. I’d also add a How did you hear about us? section for tracking.

They helped my teen son build credit. Started him on a secured card and walked us through the steps. Really kind and not judgey at all.

Same boat last year! I offered free credit reviews in Facebook groups to build testimonials. Once I had 10–15 success stories, i launched a simple Wix site, got a business PayPal, and boom side hustle turned LLC in 6 months.

People say layaway is outdated but i’d argue it’s just underused. In a world addicted to debt, forcing people to wait and earn something could be a good thing.

Yeah i used Lexington Law a while back. They were decent but kinda pricey IMO. They did help remove two collections, but it took several months. Honestly once i learned how to write dispute letters myself, I just DIY’d the rest. If you're patient, doing it yourself works just fine.

Honestly shocked a credit repair thread is this wholesome.

Totally feel you. I was in the same boat last year just overwhelmed and desperate. I signed up with Sky Blue Credit and they were kind and didn’t overpromise. Took a while (7 months), but they got 2 collections off my report. It didn’t erase my debt, but it did help with my anxiety and gave me...

Just be careful not to fall into the trap of thinking that someone else wanting to help = you being free. Unless your name is off the paperwork, you’re still legally responsible. I’ve seen way too many stories of people stuck with debt they thought they were done with.

Credit is like reputation. You gotta earn it slowly, and one screw-up can stain it for years. But if you stay honest and intentional, you’ll be surprised how fast it compounds.

don’t bring it up during Thanksgiving dinner. I made that mistake. One awkward mashed potato pause later and i was never invited to another holiday again. Timing matters.

Y’all are sleeping on secured cards. Capital One gave me one with $200 limit, and 6 months later they raised it without me asking. It’s like a credit cheat code if you’re just starting out or trying to rebuild.

If they’re on a budget, look into the public library. Sounds weird, but Rockford Public Library has hosted workshops in the past on credit repair, budgeting, etc. Taught by real pros, free of charge. Worth checking the event schedule.