@Anonymous wrote:80% is fine.
+1.
Historical utilization has no factor in FICO scoring; as a result, you can let your utilization wander all over the place until you hit 2/13 LS, assuming you're going to apply in 3/13.
That said, of course carried balances past the grace period garner interest, so if you can afford it, it's still fiscally responsible to pay them off monthly... but worrying about balances is a huge *shrug* when you're in garden mode.
IMHO, Android laid out a near perfect payment attack above. And I agree with others LS, that you don't really have to worry a lot about UTIL while gardening, you're not applying so your score will bounce around with UTIL (or why have cards?).
As long as you don't "max out" you should be fine I think, and I'm rather sure you're not going to do that.
I understand that util doesn't really matter if you're not apping, but I can assure you that once you get used to the scores you see with only one or two cards reporting minimal balance, and then you see the scores you get when you let them all report, you might well decide that playing the util game is worth it after all. 
I like controlling the number of cards reporting balances because it gives me an extra layer of protection against paying late. Not claiming that it's something that everyone ought to do, but it keeps me focused on my spending and on paying my balances.
I say no more than 30% so its not too much to bring down to less than 9% when 03/2013 gets here. But if something happens and you have to use more of your credit then dont worry since you do have some time to bring it back down again. So long as you are paying on time you should be okay. I dont have an AMex or Barclays so i'm not sure if they care what your utilization is at at any given time. OR if a drop in your score due to higher utilization could effect some of your current cards accounts wanting to close you? I have heard of some horror stories like that happening but I wonder how much of a drop maxed cards can bring? But lets not find that out! lol
Just dont pull your fico scores so not to get depressed! 
@haulingthescoreup wrote:I understand that util doesn't really matter if you're not apping, but I can assure you that once you get used to the scores you see with only one or two cards reporting minimal balance, and then you see the scores you get when you let them all report, you might well decide that playing the util game is worth it after all.
I like controlling the number of cards reporting balances because it gives me an extra layer of protection against paying late. Not claiming that it's something that everyone ought to do, but it keeps me focused on my spending and on paying my balances.
For me, this is true, and is why I only float a balance if I absolutely have to (other than letting a small balance report on a different account each month). My goal is to always keep my score at the maximum level that I can because I never know when/if I really need to use credit in a big way. Life is full of unknown trials AND opportunities, and I went to be in the best position possible credit wise for any eventuality.
@android01 wrote:
@LS2982 wrote:
@Mike360 wrote:
I am one who loves 0% financing and pays my statement balances monthly and let my 0% ride it's course. Think I'm about 20ish util with just my chase and best buy accounts.Only 2 accounts with balances?? I like that. My BB store card has the 0% deal and DM has 3.99% for 6 months,but my others are APR crazy!!
Here is my current situation with Balances:
DM $897/$1,000 (27th) - 126
Cap1 $369/$750(15th) - 100
JCP $191/$451 (3rd) - 191
CareCredit $141/$500(10th) - 141
Lowes $242/$500 (has not reported yet, closing date is 24th) - 242
Amazon $158/$1,700 (27th) - 50
BB $253/1,000 (18th) - 50
All other accounts are at $0 on CR's
How should I tackle these?? I have about $900 to throw at this on the 27th
This scenario would bring you down to only three with balances, leaving four with balances - two of which you have preferential APR's. If you need to add more to your revolving balances, use the cards with the higher limits (amazon for example) and don't charge up the lower limit cards. Even charging a couple hundred bucks on those and carrying balances on a bunch of them will be pretty bad for utilization.
What kind of balance does your Zync have?
I like this setup but would Discover have an issue with a large balance reporting on the 1st statement cut?
And Zync has a $577 balance that was not factored in with the money in earlier post.
@LS2982 wrote:
@Mike360 wrote:
I am one who loves 0% financing and pays my statement balances monthly and let my 0% ride it's course. Think I'm about 20ish util with just my chase and best buy accounts.Only 2 accounts with balances?? I like that. My BB store card has the 0% deal and DM has 3.99% for 6 months,but my others are APR crazy!!
Here is my current situation with Balances:
DM $897/$1,000 (27th)
Cap1 $369/$750(15th)
JCP $191/$451 (3rd)
CareCredit $141/$500(10th)
Lowes $242/$500 (has not reported yet, closing date is 24th)
Amazon $158/$1,700 (27th)
BB $253/1,000 (18th)
All other accounts are at $0 on CR's
How should I tackle these?? I have about $900 to throw at this on the 27th
Throw most of it at DM since that one is very close to the limit; Nevermind... I kind of agree with Android's post... Is there a way to pick up some quick cash 
?
FICO 8: 
Goal: Gardening!
Goal: Gardening!