Theme: Set the foundation—pull reports, get organized, and map your first disputes.

Why Day 1 matters
Before you fix anything, you need the full picture. Day 1 is about gathering your data, spotting the obvious errors, and setting up a simple system so the next 29 days feel easy, not chaotic.

Step 1: Grab all three credit reports

Pull your current reports from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion (no scores needed today). Save each as a PDF and name them clearly, e.g., Equifax_2026-01-07.pdf.

Pro tips

• Download, don’t just view—disputes go faster when you can quote page numbers and line items.
• If you’ve pulled reports recently, use the newest versions and note the date.

Step 2: Create your “Master Issues List”

Open a spreadsheet or notebook with these columns:

1. Bureau (EQ/EX/TU)
2. Furnisher/Account name (e.g., “ABC Collections”)
3. Partial account #
4. Issue type (e.g., “not mine,” “status wrong,” “balance off,” “duplicate,” “address/employer error,” “inquiry not authorized”)
5. What the report says now (copy the exact status/remark/date)
6. What’s correct (what it should say—or “delete”)
7. Action (dispute/update/remove/validate)
8. Evidence (ID, address proof, letters, receipts, payoff, court docs)
9. Sent date / Due date (bureaus generally have 30 days)

This becomes your roadmap for the whole month.

Step 3: Hunt the easy wins first

Circle items that are low-effort, high-impact:

• Wrong personal info (old addresses linked to fraud/collections, misspelled names, bad DOBs, employers you never had).
• Duplicate tradelines (same debt reporting twice under different names).
• Obvious “not mine” accounts (especially if tied to an address that isn’t yours).
• Unauthorized hard inquiries (from car lots or lenders you never applied with).

These usually resolve faster and can bump your score early.

Step 4: Gather your dispute packet basics

Put these in one folder for Day 2:

• Government ID (clear photo, unexpired)
• Proof of current address (utility bill, bank statement, lease; shows your name + address)
• Signed authorization (if using a credit-repair rep; otherwise skip)
• Any receipts/letters (payoff letters, settlement confirmations, fraud reports)

Name files cleanly: ID_Taylor_2026-01-07.pdf, ProofAddress_Taylor_GasBill_Dec2025.pdf, etc.

Step 5: Prioritize what to challenge this week

Use the Master Issues List to pick 5–7 items for Week 1:

• 1–2 personal info fixes
• 1–3 tradeline errors (status wrong, duplicate, or not mine)
• 1–2 unauthorized inquiries

Keep the first wave focused. Fewer, cleaner disputes get better results than blasting everything at once.

Step 6: Set your calendar

• Today: Reports downloaded, list built.
• Day 2–3: Draft and send the first dispute set.
• Day 32: Follow-up date (30-day investigation window + mailing time).
• Weekly: 10-minute check-in to track replies and update the list.

What to avoid on Day 1

• Paying old collections impulsively—sometimes a delete is possible first.
• Disputing everything as “not mine”—that can backfire and stall progress.
• Ignoring small mismatches (like wrong opening dates)—they can drive score issues or cause rejections in underwriting.

Your Day-1 Checklist

• Download EQ/EX/TU reports (PDF)
• Build Master Issues List
• Mark “easy win” items
• Gather ID + address proof + evidence
• Pick the 5–7 first-wave disputes
• Put follow-up dates on your calendar

Bottom line: Day 1 is the foundation. With clean reports, a tidy issues list, and your documents ready, you’re set to win quick, early fixes—then stack bigger improvements over the next 29 days.