Step 1: I’d stop ignoring my bad credit and get my 3 credit reports to see exactly where I stand. Step 2: Update all my personal info, including old addresses and employers, to remove any errors. Step 3: Review and categorize my accounts, identifying any collections, positive accounts, and hard inquiries. Step 4: Dispute all negative accounts and hard inquiries using the CFPB, then call the bureaus to speed up the process. Step 5: Apply for credit strategically and keep my utilization low—aiming