Credit 90-Day Plan

What you will need

• Which day of the month are you paid? (day): Used to set debit order and reminder dates.
• How many accounts are behind (in arrears) right now? (number)
• Credit cards, store cards and overdrafts: balance and limit for each (list): Used to work out how much of your available credit you are using.
• Have you checked your credit report in the last 12 months? (yes_no)
• How many times have you applied for credit in the last 6 months? (number)
• Is there a judgment or handed-over account on your report? (yes_no_not_sure)
• Send me a weekly reminder (yes_no): Optional. Off unless you switch it on.

How it works

utilisation = sum(balance) / sum(limit) x 100 (skip if no limits). Build 13 weeks in 3 stages. STAGE 1 SEE AND STOP (weeks 1-4): W1 request your free credit report(s) and list every account, balance and status; W2 check the report with the Credit Report Checklist and dispute errors; W3 stop all new credit applications for 90 days and cancel unused store card offers (do not close your oldest well-run account); W4 write a simple budget to find the amount available for debt. STAGE 2 CATCH UP (weeks 5-8): if arrears_accounts > 0: W5 contact each creditor in arrears and ask for a payment arrangement in writing; W6 pay the first arrangement on time; W7 set a debit order for every account for the day after payday; W8 check that the arrangements show on your statements. If arrears_accounts = 0: W5-W8 set debit orders, pay every account on time, and put any spare amount towards the highest-utilisation card. If judgment_or_handed_over = yes or not sure: add W6 'ask the collector or attorney for a settlement figure in writing, and once paid, ask about removing the judgment' and suggest an NCR-registered debt counsellor or consumer attorney. STAGE 3 REDUCE (weeks 9-13): W9 pay down the card or overdraft closest to its limit first; W10 aim to bring each card below about 30% of its limit over time (a guide, not a rule); W11 keep all payments on time; W12 request your report again from a different bureau and compare; W13 review: what changed, what to keep doing. If applications_6m > 2: add a note in W3 that many applications in a short time can worry lenders. Progress shows 'x of 13 weeks done' as a plain count only, with no rewards or gamification. Missed week: the task simply stays open; no warnings.

What you get

• Your 13-week plan
• How much of your available credit you are using
• Weeks done
• Your first focus

What it means

• Getting arrears up to date or under a written arrangement is the most important step, because recent on-time payments matter most to lenders.
• You are using most of your available credit, which can lower your score; paying down the fullest card first helps.
• If you cannot catch up on several accounts, speak to an NCR-registered debt counsellor before things go to court.
• Your credit use looks healthy; on-time payments over the next 90 days will build on that.
• Nobody can legally remove accurate information early; you can dispute wrong information yourself for free.

Next step: Want help interpreting this? Book a session with a money coach to track your plan, or speak to an NCR-registered debt counsellor if arrears feel unmanageable.

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