My Good friend Jerry drives a 1959 Ford Edsel Ranger. He has spent more than ten years restoring it and over $15,000 in repairs. When he first began the project, everyone, including myself, told Jerry that it was a bad idea. “It’s a money pit,” I told him. “It’s going to ruin you.”
But Jerry disagreed. “When it’s finished,” he said, “it’s going to be bad-ass.” And now, ten years later, it’s time to give credit where credit is due. Jerry’s Edsel is, indeed, very cool. Now don’t get me wrong. It wasn’t always easy. There were many times when Jerry simply wanted to throw in the towel. But he knew what he needed and, more importantly, he knew it could be done. And if you asked Jerry if it was all worth the trouble? “Hell yeah it was” he’d say. His Edsel is a masterpiece. And he knows it. In fact, everyone in town knows Jerry and his monster Edsel. It is admired constantly, and he has gotten some outrageous cash offers for it. So I guess Jerry’s project wasn’t such a bad idea after all.
The best part about Jerry’s car is that no matter what problem he encounters, he can fix it. Need a new bumper? Well, just throw one on. Starter’s gone bad? Ok, pop in a new one. Whatever the problem, Jerry can fix it!
Now, as I write this story in a beach chair in front of Jerry’s garage, I watch as my friend toys with his Edsel; making some random repair, a simple adjustment, a “much needed” improvement. And I’m thinking….How good it must be to know what you’re doing when it comes to something that’s so dear to you. What peace must come with knowing that if something goes wrong, you can fix it!
You might be wondering, “What does this have to do with credit repair?” Well, when it comes to your credit, and especially when having bad credit, never throw in the towel just because you’re facing a challenge. Jerry had the right idea. This meant a lot to him, so he took the time to learn every detail of his car. And just like Jerry, understand there’s going to be trying times, but if it’s important to you – don’t give up.
Once you have a working knowledge of your unique circumstances, you begin troubleshooting. Who do you owe, how much, and why? And next, comes the fun part. Repairs. Don’t give up hope, even when things seem grim. I have seen even the most pitiful cases turn to solid gold with a little elbow grease, hard work and determination. So, believe me, whatever the case, whatever the obstacle, whatever the challenge, don’t worry. You can fix it!
The key is to stay on top of things. Know your stuff. You may, sometimes, like Jerry, have to start from scratch, but like anything else that carries such great personal value, quality must be built. It must be maintained; cared for. You may, from time to time, have to fix this or repair that, but in the end, it’s always worth it. Just ask Jerry.
