Rebuilding Credit After Bankruptcy

Starting over after your New Mexico bankruptcy

Bankruptcy gives you an opportunity to get a fresh financial start. Having a bankruptcy on your record can cause problems if you need to apply for loans, mortgages and other financing. Though the impact of bankruptcy on your credit report and credit score can last up to 10 years, you can improve your scores quicker if you are able to rebuild credit. So, you’ll want to start reestablishing your credit as soon as possible.

5 steps to rebuilding your credit after a bankruptcy

During the bankruptcy process, you are sent for credit counseling.A good credit counselor will teach you about building your credit after a bankruptcy. It takes a lot of discipline, but it’s worth it. These are the steps you should follow to reestablish and rebuild your credit:

1. Create a monthly budget. You’ll want to break the bad habits that got you into financial trouble in the first place. The best way to do this is to create a monthly budget. List the item and amount of:
   • Your income sources
   • The bills that are essential for you to pay (mortgage or rent, utilities, food,
     insurance, etc.)
   • Your optional expenses (clothing, entertainment, charitable giving, etc.)
2. Build your savings. Try to save as much as you can in a savings account. Building your savings can help you when you encounter unexpected expenses outside of your budget. Having a cash cushion will allow you to obtain secured credit cards and secured loans up to the value of your savings.
3. Apply for a secured credit card and/or secured loan. Within weeks of completing your bankruptcy, you may receive offers from credit card companies. To start reestablishing your credit, you really only need one credit card. Pick carefully. The safest vehicles for reestablishing credit are secured credit cards and secured loans. For a secured credit card or secured loan, you deposit an amount of money and can charge or borrow up to that amount. This is not the same as using a debit card. Funds are not removed when charges are made. The money used to secure the loan or credit card remains there and you pay out of your checking account. Be sure to shop around. Different secured credit cards have different rules, rates, fees, and deposit minimums and maximums.
4. Make regular, on-time payments. Pay your debts on time. No excuses. No procrastination. The most important thing you can do to reestablish your credit is to reestablish a credit history that includes on-time payments. It’s no joke. One late payment can hurt your credit score for years. Ideally, you would pay each bill in full each month. If you are unable to do that, then pay the minimum amount due to avoid late fees and additional negative impacts on your credit score.
5. Monitor your credit report. You can use mobile apps and online tools like Mint and Credit Karma to monitor your credit score and accounts.

If you follow the steps above, you should begin seeing an improvement in your scores within three to five years. The credit reporting agency TransUnion, many banks, and other financial institutions provide online tools that can help you develop good budgeting and debt management habits after you file for bankruptcy.

Contact us for a free initial bankruptcy consultation

New Mexico Financial and Family Law is an Albuquerque-based bankruptcy law firm. Attorney Don Harris works with clients throughout New Mexico. At your free initial consultation, he can help you determine the type of bankruptcy that is best for your situation. Contact New Mexico Financial and Family Law online or call (505) 503-1637 to arrange a free initial bankruptcy consultation.

We are a debt relief agency and have practiced bankruptcy law for a combined 50 years. Our services include helping individuals and couples file for bankruptcy relief under the Bankruptcy Code. 

Financial Planning