Here's what I did:
Somehow managed to get a Discover it with a $500 limit WITH the collection still reporting. Balance and trade line reported in two weeks with a $41 balance.
Paid a charge-off to Midland, and timed it to coincide with their reporting dates, since they now automatically pay-for-delete if the account is older than 2 years. They report every two weeks, and last reported on 11/26. Next MCM reporting dates, for those who are interested: 12/10, 12/24, 1/7, 1/21. You'll want to time your payment for about one week BEFORE their next reporting cycle for fast results. 
Before I got the Disco, and while I still had the collection, I got a $1,000 limit CO Platinum card with stupid high interest (sock. drawer.).
CO Platinum still hasn't reported, but I've used it and paid in full for two months, so it will probably improve my score even more when it finally reports (good LORD they're slow!!!). It should show a 0 balance and high payment activity.
My credit alerts started bouncing off the walls informing me of increases to my credit scores. FAKOs are all 720's, FICO 8's are 700-704 EQ and TU. Experian can shove it, though -- they won't budge past 670 for me, so I'm just going to lock EX and only apply now with EQ and TU.
I also joined NFCU and got a VISA Platinum with 12.99% interest and $1,000 limit, because apparently TU didn't give them the updated info. It's cool, though; I'm sure I'll quadruple that limit when I can do the CLI thing, since the EQ FICO 9 that they use is now 712.
Guys, you have no idea how awesome and enlightening this journey has been on myFICO. I told myself, for the past couple of years since I was unemployed, "Welp, might as well not try, since I'm straight-up SOL for at least seven years now." Nope. I'm doing better now than ever thanks to some awesome wisdom garnered here.
Congrats!!👍
Best of Luck!🤞
😊
Best of Luck!🤞
😊
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