Isn't that funny! I too, one time had a local collection that I literally paid I think either 5 or 10 dollars a month for I believe a year. This was a long time ago- as I didn'nt know that one could negotiate with CA's and pay a percentage! You know- it's crazy what a lack of knowledge of how to handle credit- coupled with a car wreck and hospital bills- and virtually making no money off of a waitress's salary can add up to!
I too, have learned so much from these boards, I really really really want to hit 700 and then my goal is 720- I Have 652, 663, and 667. It is not good enough for me anymore and I am working to pay and hopefully have removed three collections.