Loans

1 Talk to your lawyer about the requirements for taking out a bankruptcy loan. You may have to wait until your bankruptcy is dismissed and all your creditors paid off before taking out a loan.

2 Shop online for "bad-credit" loans. A number of online lenders will provide what is called a sub-prime loan. Research the lender for complaints before doing business to protect yourself from unscrupulous practices.

3 Apply for a bad-credit mortgage. You may feel as if you can't get a mortgage after bankruptcy, but if you are willing to agree to certain fees and potential penalties, you can. Establishing and maintaining an installment loan like a mortgage can help improve your credit.

4 Apply for a secured credit card. Secured credit cards are the easiest form of credit to get after bankruptcy because there is little risk to the lender. You have to deposit a certain amount of money at a bank, and then you will receive an equivalent amount of open credit.

5 Compare terms between loans before settling on a lender. It's important to know what is available before deciding on a loan.

6 Pay all your loan payments on time. If you have any hope of restoring your credit, you can't afford to be late or delinquent on any loans in the future. If you don't change your habits, you could end up back in bankruptcy court like so many others.