Can use some direction on rebuilding path

[MKelson]

My husband unexpectedly passed away this past summer, and during the timeframe of fighting with life insurance I ended up taking any and all credit card offers I could get, just to get through things. I am now thankfully done with that fight, and can focus on rebuilding my credit. I'm currently sitting at (Fico8 scores) EX-646,EQ-676,TU-664, my goal is to get them above 700.

This past month I ended up getting 2 new secured credit cards with higher CLs and cancelling a handful of the low CL and/or AF cards I had. I also paid off any outstanding loans I had (which I now know maybe wasn't so smart), and all CCs currently have a $0 balance. I don't plan on opening an further credit cards, but still do have 4 or 5 I would love to close due to AFs. I'm not sure if I should let the dust settle for a bit, and see where my scores lie in 6 months, or if I should open a new loan to have an open one on my credit report again.

I would love to hear some experienced thoughts and opinions. Maybe fill me on a strategy I'm not seeing? Thanks!

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CC's I plan to keep: CapitalOne $500/$500/$800 (won't close due to being my oldest), MissionLane $1100, Merrick $1100, Mercury $1000, Surge $800, HarelyDavidson $5000 (secured), OpenSky $3000 (secured), Torrid $700, Amazon $500

CCs I'd like to close: Fortiva $370, Indigo $300, Legacy $600, FirstPremiere $400, Kohls $300

[FireMedic1]

Sorry about your loss. Its time to let things age. You got many cards as you posted bsically at the same time. All those hits need to chill and garden for a year and let the scores rebound. Too much too fast. Yes close AF cards if you like. You have no loans at all now?

[gdale6]

If a card has an AF and you dont need or want it then close it out. I see you have Kohls on the close list, I wouldnt close that one it can help with utilization, the max limit for it is 3K and as your credit improves you can ask them for CLI. To raise your Fico do not let all cards report 0 balance one needs to report less than 9% of its individual CL. You lose points for all cards reporting 0. Dont worry about having no open loans it really is insignificant at this point in time.

[SweetCreditObsession]

@MKelson, I'm sorry for your loss and commend you for being determined to address these mundane, but bothersome tasks related to credit management.

The advise from @FireMedic1 and @gdale6 is on point. 

Letting your cards age and only eliminating those with AFs is your best course of action.

You can leverage free services to monitor your Fico scores.

Best wishes.