@Ford725 wrote:I began to evaluate my so called progress and use the garden for what it's for. I started closing cards I knew I would not use, like KingSize, Buckle, Victoria Secret, and Bonton. Most had toy limits anyway. I realized if I wanted the Big Banks to take me seriously, I had to do some pruning and weeding. At the same time I started to focus on the quality of the card, not quantity. I added Macy's and Bloomingdales.
My wishlist is: AMEX, BARCLAY, CHASE, CAPITAL ONE, CITI
I am glad that you at least kept the Synchrony cards.
In reality, all you had to do was grow your limits on the Lowe's, Walmart, Chevron...etc etc. Especially the Lowe's... once you've had it for a year or your credit is improved,Chat with them online and ask for a 25K limit. That Lowes store card will get you into high limits with other banks, treat it well.
You didn't have to close your other store cards, they were already padding your utilization and extending your AAoA for the long run.
Besides losing out on the long-term AAoA advantage and utilization, you also lose out on the FICO bonus points for positive tradelines (similar to FICO bonus for having different typs of credit).
I can understand not wanting to open up store cards in the first place (or any other new account), but once you have them for over 6 months they are actually good for your credit.
Closing your store cards doesn't get you in with the Big Boys, Increasing your 620 FICO will get you in with the Big Boys. You always hear about people closing store cards but you never see them report back and say that their FICO score went up...because it doesn't.
Closing store cards to increase your score.... doesn't happen.
Closing store cards to get in with the Big Boys... not needed
Increasing your score by keeping existing store cards open ... certainly works
The 2 things you need... growing limits and a long "Timeout" (aka Gardening)..excellent. You don't need to close cards (unless they come with AF you don't want to pay)
Funny story, that $100 JCPenney was the exact same card that also made me go into Timeout, only difference is I brought all 40 of the $200 limit store cards with me into timeout 
Good for you OP for making a plan, setting a goal etc. I just started rebuilding myself, getting an Amex Delta Gold and Freedom in Feb. I want a CSP in the worst way but I'm going to garden until fall and apply then. I only have 4 cards, 3 bank and 1 store card (Macys). I've had 2 of them since 1994 so they help protect my AAoA. I only want 2 more cards after the CSP. A Discover card and possibly and some other low APR card preferably a MC as I have all Visa's. Haven't decided completely. Don't plan on any apps after the CSP until late 2016 or 17 when my one and only CO should fall off my report. My goal going forward is to have a few cards I can keep the rest of my days. I don't believe in opening and closing multiple accounts. It takes too long and too much effort to maintain/rebuild good credit scores to just treat credit like a game. Its not a game, its real money with real consequences. Best of luck to you.
@Anonymous wrote:
@Ford725 wrote:I began to evaluate my so called progress and use the garden for what it's for. I started closing cards I knew I would not use, like KingSize, Buckle, Victoria Secret, and Bonton. Most had toy limits anyway. I realized if I wanted the Big Banks to take me seriously, I had to do some pruning and weeding. At the same time I started to focus on the quality of the card, not quantity. I added Macy's and Bloomingdales.
My wishlist is: AMEX, BARCLAY, CHASE, CAPITAL ONE, CITI
I am glad that you at least kept the Synchrony cards.
In reality, all you had to do was grow your limits on the Lowe's, Walmart, Chevron...etc etc. Especially the Lowe's... once you've had it for a year or your credit is improved,Chat with them online and ask for a 25K limit. That Lowes store card will get you into high limits with other banks, treat it well.
You didn't have to close your other store cards, they were already padding your utilization and extending your AAoA for the long run.
Besides losing out on the long-term AAoA advantage and utilization, you also lose out on the FICO bonus points for positive tradelines (similar to FICO bonus for having different typs of credit).
I can understand not wanting to open up store cards in the first place (or any other new account), but once you have them for over 6 months they are actually good for your credit.
Closing your store cards doesn't get you in with the Big Boys, Increasing your 620 FICO will get you in with the Big Boys. You always hear about people closing store cards but you never see them report back and say that their FICO score went up...because it doesn't.
Closing store cards to increase your score.... doesn't happen.
Closing store cards to get in with the Big Boys... not needed
Increasing your score by keeping existing store cards open ... certainly works
The 2 things you need... growing limits and a long "Timeout" (aka Gardening)..excellent. You don't need to close cards (unless they come with AF you don't want to pay)
Funny story, that $100 JCPenney was the exact same card that also made me go into Timeout, only difference is I brought all 40 of the $200 limit store cards with me into timeout
Dang CreditFlunky, you just took me to SKOOL'!!! 
It's like having a "get real" conversation with the coach. I NEVER SAW IT THAT WAY UNTIL NOW! Real talk, thank you. I'll remember this going forward. I can't undo the damage but, I can surely learn from it. So my focus is increeasing FICO and nurturing the Synchrony accounts. Well do! Oh, AND DON'T CLOSE ANY MORE ACCOUNTS!!! Lol. 
Current Scores: FICO08 670 EQ, FICO08 703 TU, FICO08 661 EX
@EdMan63 wrote:Good for you OP for making a plan, setting a goal etc. I just started rebuilding myself, getting an Amex Delta Gold and Freedom in Feb. I want a CSP in the worst way but I'm going to garden until fall and apply then. I only have 4 cards, 3 bank and 1 store card (Macys). I've had 2 of them since 1994 so they help protect my AAoA. I only want 2 more cards after the CSP. A Discover card and possibly and some other low APR card preferably a MC as I have all Visa's. Haven't decided completely. Don't plan on any apps after the CSP until late 2016 or 17 when my one and only CO should fall off my report. My goal going forward is to have a few cards I can keep the rest of my days. I don't believe in opening and closing multiple accounts. It takes too long and too much effort to maintain/rebuild good credit scores to just treat credit like a game. Its not a game, its real money with real consequences. Best of luck to you.
Here, here......ain't that the truth! I really used to treat it like a game and lost every time. Now,I'm going to own the table!!!!! I pray all goes well in your continued journey. Thank you for sharing your wisdom also.
@Anonymous wrote:Sweet! -a time-out buddy- See you over in the garden!
Thank you, for sharing your experience. More importantly, being so forthcoming. It is through stories like these, that we can all learn and grow...
Can't wait to see/hear all about your process, moving forward!
Wow, that's really awesome of you to say. I'm following the pattern becuase, others did it before me and it helped me tremendously. I tell you man, you guys are the BEST with all of your kind words, encouragement and sound advise! I will make sure you do!
UPDATE: One of the biggest hurddles in my credit journey is coming off. Just received an email from First Premier agreeing to delete their CO from all three reports within the next 30 days! One down, one to go. Thanks everybody.
@Anonymous wrote:Ford- did you ever check Chase prequal? I ask becuase you stated you want to garden to get in with the big boys. My scores a couple months back were lower than yours and I got in with Chase (Freedom).
Good that you are looking at things differently now after acquiring all those store cards. I was only able to get one and definitely glad I stopped myself at one! I keep reminding myself the big picture here.
Thanks Bananas, I have tried the prequal in vain, no go. So i cold appd last month and was turned down on the freedom for too many new accounts. Will wait and see by end of summer.