SW Update on 7/13 - EQ is now 597.
Starting to chip away at that utilization - going to take a while, but should be able to start putting $500-1000/mo towards the Amex that's killing me. Should change my name to "fixiteventually" 
Starting Score (08/22/11): TU: 510 / EQ: 512
Wow, your progress is impressive!!!! Keep it up and keep us all posted! Best of luck to ya....YOU CAN DO IT!!!
@fixitquick wrote:SW Update on 7/13 - EQ is now 597.
Starting to chip away at that utilization - going to take a while, but should be able to start putting $500-1000/mo towards the Amex that's killing me. Should change my name to "fixiteventually"
Wouldn't be the first. BadCredBen is now FairCredBen lol
-scott
No recent changes to my credit profile, but I rolled the dice and applied for the WalMart credit card (not Discover) and was approved for a $500 limit! Although it'll bring my AOAA down a bit, it'll slightly help my utilization and I can now get my TU scores.
Nice to actually see an instant approval for once! Feels good to be moving in the right direction!
No more apping until this Amex is taken care of.
Edited - updated 9/9 (page 4)
Very nice. Keep it up!
July 2013 score: EQ FICO 819, TU08 778, EX "806 lender pull 07/26/2013
Goal Score: All Scores 760+, Newest goal 800+
Take the myFICO Fitness Challenge
Current scores after adding $81K in CLs and 2 new cars since July 2013
EQ:809 TU 777 EX 790 Now it's just garden time!
June 2017 update: All scores over 820, just pure gardening now.
congrats on your hard work.
I feel your journey - started with scores in the 520s in May and up to 590s.
Also have a couple utilzation issues to clean up and I will be on my way.
I got a SW update yesterday - my new Walmart CC is reporting, and while I expected my score to dip a few points, I actually gained 8 and am FINALLY in the 600 club!
It has taken just over a year to increase my EQ from 512 to 605. Hopefully by this time next year, I'll be WELL into the 700s!
Oddly enough, another SW update this evening. Up to 614!!!
102 pts in just over a year. 106 to my goal.
*** Update - my Dell/CIT Bank account was deleted from all 3 bureaus. I'm assuming that this is what boosted my score. Still have my First Premier late diminishing (2 years) off this month and my Sallie Mae lates diminishing in October.
My Score Simulator now says that if I pay my outstanding credit card balances ($15k - mostly the Amex) over the next 12 months, I can expect a FICO score in the 714-754 range!!!