My wife and I were both laid off at the same time 3 years ago, and we tried to stay afloat with credit cards. It didn't work, and we ended up filing bankruptcy. The Diva is happy you are back on your feet and urges you to set up a savings plan, so you will never have to go through the nightmare of bankruptcy again. I will set up a cash account to pay for my lifestyle for at least six months, so a future layoff will not land me back in bankruptcy court. I will set up an account, so I can pay cash for those unexpected expenses that pop up regularly, like home and car repairs, kid's braces, and surgery for the cat when it shows up with a ripped ear.
Credit repair is a slow, tedious process that takes time, energy and commitment.
If you're denied credit, find out why. Get copies of your credit reports and scrutinize them. No one can make the credit reporting agencies remove the bankruptcy from your credit report before 10 years is up. If a nasty credit report has no errors, disputes or omissions on it, only time and future timely payments will make it better. If your credit reports need to be corrected, roll up your sleeves and get to work.