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Utilization Sweet Spot

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wfreeman3
New Contributor

Utilization Sweet Spot

I just wanted to share the results of a little excercise I just went through.  I used the Privacy Guard simulator to see "what if" I kept my utilization at different levels.  I used 4 CC and 2 Revolv for the test.  The best results were when I kept utilization at 1%.  Has anyone else done any tests like this?

Starting Score: 766
Current Score: 766
Goal Score: 800


Take the FICO Fitness Challenge
Message 1 of 14
13 REPLIES 13
Anonymous
Not applicable

Re: Utilization Sweet Spot

haven't tried it...what kind of score jumps did it simulate?
Message 2 of 14
wfreeman3
New Contributor

Re: Utilization Sweet Spot

Best jump was 28 points from 620

Starting Score: 766
Current Score: 766
Goal Score: 800


Take the FICO Fitness Challenge
Message 3 of 14
Anonymous
Not applicable

Re: Utilization Sweet Spot

going from what utilizations gave u the 28?  just curious
Message 4 of 14
wfreeman3
New Contributor

Re: Utilization Sweet Spot

2 are at 30%, the other 4 are at 0%

Starting Score: 766
Current Score: 766
Goal Score: 800


Take the FICO Fitness Challenge
Message 5 of 14
Anonymous
Not applicable

Re: Utilization Sweet Spot

well that's good news..i got one darn near maxed at 90%...i'll take it to 2% in a month...can you run that for me..
Message 6 of 14
pdxuser
Contributor

Re: Utilization Sweet Spot

Yay... with the secured card I plan to start out with, I'll be able to get a monthly super value meal Smiley Wink. (I know, I can spend more and pay down to 1%.)
 
Speaking of spending more and paying down to 1%, the highest historical balance on a card is in a credit report, even if that high balance occured between statements and not at the close. Can your magic doohickey figure out what the best high historical utilization should be?
Message 7 of 14
fused
Moderator Emeritus

Re: Utilization Sweet Spot

For me this is what seems to work.
 
7 revolving cards
1 charge card (AmEx)
1 open unsecured installment loan
 
- Keep balances on only 3 of the revolving cards between 1-9% util, the other 4 with $0 balances
- EX and EQ will not factor Amex charge cards in revolving util, but the dinosaur TU still does
- I never worry about the installment balance; it's about NEVER paying late
 
 
 
Message 8 of 14
Anonymous
Not applicable

Re: Utilization Sweet Spot

Mortgage -
Installment loan- (over 50% paid off)
3 of my 11 CC's with a balance under 10% (I have Kay at 25% right now at 0%)
1 Amex Charge card
2 SL's (not helping)
my HELOC is ingored-
 
So-
Less than 50% of open TL's with a balance 
Overall and INV Utl under 10%
 
My UTL is 4%
 
It was Junny, WAMU and Kay's turn this month-
 
Junny goes back to the sock drawer-
I need to give CAPONE some love- they really hate being paid off-
 
Having Kay at 25% costs me about 5-10 Points-
 


Message Edited by Timothy on 02-21-2008 06:38 AM
Message 9 of 14
rbrown973
Regular Contributor

Re: Utilization Sweet Spot

hey how are you??? I would like to try the Privacy Guard simulator but i don't know where to find it at... can you help lead me to it please...
 
 
Thanks
The Grass Is always Greener On The Other Side
Message 10 of 14
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