From the top:
1.) Generally, paying the full balance once a month works out best. This shows your lending companies that you can be responsible with the amount of credit they give you, and that makes it more likely that they'll increase your credit limits. Ideally, you want lower utilization for scoring, but since some of your cards have low limits, that can be a challenge. Maintaining low utilization on each card will be easier after you get some more limit increases, and you don't need to worry too much about it right now if you pay in full every month and you're not looking for any new loans or credit for a while.
2.) Statements cut when the card company says "you owe ___ by __/__/20XX, minimum payment is ____" This generally happens on the same day every month, and you can find out what day that is by looking at past statements through your card issuer's web portal. Statements show utilization percentages to credit bureaus. For people who are micro-managing their credit scores (which I don't recommend unless you're about to apply for a loan or new credit in the next couple months), paying off the entire balance on a card before the statement cuts means the card issuer will report no balance to credit reports and paying down most, but not all, of the balance means the card issuer will report low utilization to the credit bureaus. In my opinion, this type of micromanaging credit is only useful if you're planning to apply for a new loan or credit. When you are about to apply for new credit, you ideally want 1 account to show under 10% utilization and the rest at 0 for the month when you're applying, which will maximize your credit scores. But its too much hassle to worry about on a regular basis, in my opinion.
3.) Credit issuers will generally report to the credit bureaus within a couple days of when your statement cuts. This will be different with each card, and tends to be based on when you got the card. Some credit issuers will let you change due dates, which will change statement dates and reporting dates as well.
4.) Since introductory offers are generally better than any normal rewards, I'd prioritize spending so you hit the required level to get any signup bonuses first. After that, spend normally. You should only get a credit card if it is useful in your normal spending. If you're regularly trying to figure out how to spend money to balance your credit cards, then you're working for them instead of them working for you. It sounds like you have a place in your spending for the Discover & Blue Cash Everyday. Fit in the rest where they work with your normal spending. And don't use cards that don't fit.
5.) Inquiries normally show up on your credit report within a day or two. Since there are 3 credit bureaus and most companies only run inquiries through one, each bureau will likely show a different number of inquiries. There are also some companies that will run inquiries through 2 bureaus, and Capital One checks all 3.
6.) Since everyone's credit profile is different, it's impossible to tell what kind of a hit your scores will take for the inquiries & new accounts. But if you're responsible with paying all your accounts regularly, your scores will rise over time.
7.) MyFICO 3B subscriptions ($30/mo) are the only way you can see and track all your FICO scores in the same place, but as you said, a number of card issuers will let you track one of your credit bureau FICO scores for free. You can track your TransUnion score through Discover and your Experian score through American Express. Credit Karma and the "free credit score" sites generally show Vantage scores, which are calculated differently than FICO scores, but can give you a rough idea of your range (most Vantage 3 scores are +/- 50 points of FICO 8 scores). And more importantly, Credit Karma will tell you about changes to your credit report for the 2 bureaus they monitor as they happen.
Hope that helped. Good luck as you rebuild and I'll see you in the Garden! 
@Anonymous wrote:Hi everyone! First, thanks in advance for reading and taking the time to reply. I've spent the last many days/nights reading up on everything and the forum is great (also running on very little sleep because of this lol). I've been utliziing the search function as much as possible, but still have some questions.
A little background - I guess I'm "in the middle" of rebuilding my credit. I'm way better off than I was a year ago and hope to be way better off in a year. Current FAKO scores: TU 626, EQ 657. Barclay has my TU FICO at 663. Utilization is at 87%, but in real time it's 20-23% (come on updates!). 3 baddies set to fall off next spring - 10/11 months. I have a Cap1 Secured at 250, Disney Chase Visa at 500, and a Barclays Rewards that just went from 2k --> 4.5k and thus began my app spree! (Never received an auto CLI and got all high and mighty and figured I had finally left the kids table!) I have a 10k loan with Honda, some new school loans in deferrment as I'm still in nursing school - so everything is in good standing.
Approved for the following:
Discover IT 500
AMEX BCE 1k
Chase Southwest RR 2k
So obviously I want to grow and do the best possible! I never paid much attention to "when statements cut" or any of this stuff I've been reading about, I've just PIF or paid at least 3x payment due amount by due date. So now, without further adue, my 1 million questions.
1. Payment - what is best? I see some people pay every 2 weeks, every day, PIF every month - I'm open to do either, just curious what's best. I've also read about wanting to show activity, not have 0 balances, let a little bit report, etc etc. Frankly I'm overwhelmed at all of this. Your advice is appreciated.
To optimize your score at any given moment, best thing is to pay down in advance of statement date, with all accounts reporting at zero except one account reporting a balance of 9% or less.
2. When "statements cut." Why is this important? How do I find out when this is? Again, something new to me. It sounds important enough that I need to find out when this is and take some sort of action (payment?) before they cut. Admittedly I've always ignored those e-mails and I'd like to not do that anymore.
It just means the statement date. The reason it's important for scoring purposes is that the balance in the statement is the one used for computing utilization.
3. When the cc companies report. How can I find this out? Perhaps there is a list somewhere and I haven't found it, or it's different for everyone. I've read not to use your card during this time and use a different one. With the 3 new ones I plan on using actively, this shouldn't be a problem.
It doesn't matter when they report. What matters is what they report, which is the balance in the statement.
4. What to actually use the cards for. I'm trying to maximize the benefits. So I had planned to use the AMEX on gas and groceries, Discover on the rotating categories, and the Chase SWRR for my more expensive purchases and online ones since I do a lot of that (in hopes to meet their introductory offer). Any other pointers I should be aware of?
Everyone looks at it differently. Me personally, I don't pay much attention to maximizing rewards. I concentrate on spreading the usage around and keeping reported balances down.
5. When will the HI hit? So far only 1 showing from Discover on TU.
Sorry I don't know what an "HI" is. If you mean hard inquiry, it varies when they hit the reports. But who cares?
6. How much are the 3 new accounts gonna tank my score? My utilization is gonna go down but I know there's blows with HI and new accounts. So curious to see how this plays out.
No one knows how much.
7. Now that I'm obsessed, what do you like to use to track your FICO? I have a Credit Karma and get the TU with my Barclay. I believe I'll be able to access another one (maybe EX?) with my AMEX.
I'm obsessed too. I use everything I can get my hands on. I have a short attention span so I don't like the free ones on the credit card websites which only update monthly or even less. I use MyCICO 3B monitoring, Experian.com, Equifax.com, Credit Karma, Capital One Credit Wise, you name it.
THANK YOU if you've stuck around and read all this. I'm all ears to any other pointers and suggestions you all may have. Looking forward to rocking this garden for the next year! Watch out May 2017!
