I just wanted to say a few years ago my scores were high 500s across all credit reports. Yuck, I was a college student that was broke and couldn't pay my cc's. Got in over my head, my fault I should have found a way to pay them off. So of course I had like 4-5 cards go into collections, plus I had a collection with a cable co, and a cell co too.
Fast forward to today...I have a 776 EQ so stay positive! All my baddies are off, and all I did was waited it out. Offered PFD's but got no where sadly. It sucked!! but it was worth it, and hopefully soon I'll have a new home so all of those out there that are frustrated just hang in there it does get better 
To add, all I have on my reports now are 3 credit cards, and a small paid personal loan. No car loan, no mortgage loan and I got my score up to 776. So you can do it too!!
Debt free and loving it lol, but bring on that new mortgage too! LOL
Awesome and congrats!!
Starting Score: 675
The debt free feeling is the best part. Congrats!
July 2013 score: EQ FICO 819, TU08 778, EX "806 lender pull 07/26/2013
Goal Score: All Scores 760+, Newest goal 800+
Take the myFICO Fitness Challenge
Current scores after adding $81K in CLs and 2 new cars since July 2013
EQ:809 TU 777 EX 790 Now it's just garden time!
June 2017 update: All scores over 820, just pure gardening now.