Ok, I joined myFico 10/2013 with scores from 550-580 on all three reports. I had 3 public records (fed tax lien, MD tax lien, and a judgement), 12 Collections from PRA, Midland, NCC, IC Systems, and Fair Collections, 2 CO (HSBC and Cap1), as well as 90+ late on a paid car loan from Suntrust. At that time, I had a mountain of student loans, a Victorias Secret - CL 300 and a CapitalOne Credit Steps - CL 500.
With the wisdom and help from this forum my wallet grew from CC with total CL of 800 to 12 CC with a total CL of 57k and my credit score topped out at 711.
As of today, Public Records, Charge Offs, and Collections that were on my reports have been removed...but thanks to my time spent at the casino, ALL of my cards are maxed out (with the exception of VS and Amazon), AMEX PRG went from NPSL to 2000, Macys CL 1000 to 500 AND I have the following "baddies" on my reports:
QS Visa 6900/7000 - 30 day late reported 6/2015
Macys 359/500 - 30 day late reported 6/2015
Midland - Collection reported 2/2013 (Only on TU)
NCC - Collection reported 5/2015 (Only on EX and TU)
Suntrust - 90 day late reported 1/2009
I started with the recent collection, they said they would remove it if I paid it....no such luck, so let the goodwilling begin. I sent Macy's a secure message to ask if they would remove the 30-day late. Midland was the only "baddie" left from my efforts two years ago; removed from all CR but TU. According to TU, Suntrust should be off by Spring 2016, and last but not least.....I am going to send an email to the EO at CapitalOne to see if they can work with me on the 30 day late.
I just had to post this so I could fully commit to the changes I have to make. Oh, don't worry, I am also paying down the debt...following the snowball method I learned here. Wish me luck!!! Any advice or input is greatly appreciated. Best wishes to you all!!
012019 Fico8/Mortgage Score: 
@newmomnewme wrote:Ok, I joined myFico 10/2013 with scores from 550-580 on all three reports. I had 3 public records (fed tax lien, MD tax lien, and a judgement), 12 Collections from PRA, Midland, NCC, IC Systems, and Fair Collections, 2 CO (HSBC and Cap1), as well as 90+ late on a paid car loan from Suntrust. At that time, I had a mountain of student loans, a Victorias Secret - CL 300 and a CapitalOne Credit Steps - CL 500.
With the wisdom and help from this forum my wallet grew from CC with total CL of 800 to 12 CC with a total CL of 57k and my credit score topped out at 711.
As of today, Public Records, Charge Offs, and Collections that were on my reports have been removed...but thanks to my time spent at the casino, ALL of my cards are maxed out (with the exception of VS and Amazon), AMEX PRG went from NPSL to 2000, Macys CL 1000 to 500 AND I have the following "baddies" on my reports:
QS Visa 6900/7000 - 30 day late reported 6/2015
Macys 359/500 - 30 day late reported 6/2015
Midland - Collection reported 2/2013 (Only on TU)
NCC - Collection reported 5/2015 (Only on EX and TU)
Suntrust - 90 day late reported 1/2009
I started with the recent collection, they said they would remove it if I paid it....no such luck, so let the goodwilling begin. I sent Macy's a secure message to ask if they would remove the 30-day late. Midland was the only "baddie" left from my efforts two years ago; removed from all CR but TU. According to TU, Suntrust should be off by Spring 2016, and last but not least.....I am going to send an email to the EO at CapitalOne to see if they can work with me on the 30 day late.
I just had to post this so I could fully commit to the changes I have to make. Oh, don't worry, I am also paying down the debt...following the snowball method I learned here. Wish me luck!!! Any advice or input is greatly appreciated. Best wishes to you all!!
Good luck on your quest OP.
I guess what concerns me the most is the balance on the QS account. Can't say that since I've been on the forum, I heard Cap 1 CLD anybody, but it is possible. Macy's is part of Citi, so CLD is possible with them. Do you have a plan to get Cap 1 paid off in 6 months. I don't know that at this point in time it would be a good idea to contact EO about your account given the balance being as high as it is. Maybe wait until the balance is a lot lower then goodwill them. As long as Cap 1 keeps your limit the same, you can work on all the other things, but getting that balance down to me is the most important thing.
Keep us posted on your progress.
Thanks @Bigdaddy63,
Yes, thankfully I have a bonus at work (end of October) and I can get the QS and two others paid down then. I will take your advice and contact the EO after I've paid it in full. As always, I appreciate your input and much needed advice. This is going to be a long road for me.....looking forward to small victories each month. I will be in touch!
@Anonymous wrote:Capital 1 won't touch your late pay until your balance is zero and you show at least 6-12 months of solid history after that. Even then it's iffy.
And not to be all dad-like, but I would worry less about your score right now and more about your spending habits, and I would never set foot in a casino again. Your scores will recover, they always do, but you will end up in the same place again and again if you don't stop the problems where they start, and that is irresponsible spending.
It was a hard lesson for me, took me years of being in the credit dumpster to get it.
Thanks Dad. 
I've been steering clear of the casino and getting comfortable with the fact that my bonuses at work will not be for real vacation. They will be used to pay for gambling that took place months ago. I make good enough money to dig out of this hole, it just pains me to do it. I will get er done and keep you posted.
In all seriousness, thank you for the encouragement and real-talk.