@Anonymous wrote:
AZEO + ultralow utilization is a real nice score-boosting strategy. It really comes into its own in the 40 days before a mortgage preapproval, though it can have value before any important credit app. It gives no help in building credit over time, however, and that's the message we have to get out. All the veterans of these forums understand that (SouthJ, Revelate, BBS, Thomas Thumb, etc.) but somehow AZEO as a score building strategy has somehow taken on a life of its own, repeated by well intentioned but less knowledgeable people in the echo chamber of the forums.
Actually what people really need to understand is the absolute fundamentals of how FICO scoring works. If they understood that, then they would realize that CC balances affect the score at an instant, and as soon as they change, the score changes -- and thus AZEO necessarily only has practical value in the immediate run-up to an important credit app. It's these fundamental concepts that people would benefit from grasping -- the misunderstanding about AZEO is a symptom of not understanding the deeper more fundamental stuff.
Yess.. I can't tell you the number of posts I've seen in response to new members that basically just say "research AZEO and do it all the time and you'll see your scores rise." And it's not just misleading, it is so incredibly wrong because AZEO has nothing to do with ongoing FICO gain. So someone (often one of the vets you listed) will eventually come along and write a post attempting to undo the damage...
Oh, thank you! This has put it in perspective for me, something that is much needed (for me). Again, thank you!
Starting Score: 784
You've just convinced me to stop paying $30/month for my Experian subscription. I'm not going to be making any big credit purchases any time soon, or apping for anything big, so why am I being so a nal about my score right now? I check it every morning like it's something I NEED to know every single day of my life. I mean, do I? Absolutely not! I get free scores with all my cards, so why am I wasting all that money for information I don't necessarily need at the moment? Thank you for making this post and thank you for saving me money. 
UPDATE
Ok guys! I actually cancelled my subscription! Feels so good to be saving $60/month (I paid for my fiance's subscription, too). Now it's time to cancel my BoxyCharm and MorpheMe subscriptions. To say I need more make up/brushes is like saying a rainbow needs more colors.
WoW - that's a huge move 
Kudos to you!! You are stronger than I --
I've been thinking about doing that too but haven't been able to follow through just yet...
@Queen_Etherea wrote:You've just convinced me to stop paying $30/month for my Experian subscription. I'm not going to be making any big credit purchases any time soon, or apping for anything big, so why am I being so a nal about my score right now? I check it every morning like it's something I NEED to know every single day of my life. I mean, do I? Absolutely not! I get free scores with all my cards, so why am I wasting all that money for information I don't necessarily need at the moment? Thank you for making this post and thank you for saving me money.
UPDATE
Ok guys! I actually cancelled my subscription! Feels so good to be saving $60/month (I paid for my fiance's subscription, too). Now it's time to cancel my BoxyCharm and MorpheMe subscriptions. To say I need more make up/brushes is like saying a rainbow needs more colors.