Question on Utilization Percentage as it relates to score

[Anonymous]

I'm seriously confused.  My utilization % is one of many aspects hurting my score.  It shows as 108%.  108% of what available credit exactly?

The reason I ask this is that I have the following installment loans that don't show original balance on report, just current balance:

Mortgage -  $155K - was $160K - current

Auto #1 - $12K - was $15K - current

Auto #2 - $6K - was $10K - current

Student Loan #1 - $65K - Was $69K - 90 days past due

Student Loan #2 - $23K - Was $24K - 90 days past due

I would assume they have original balance somewhere "hidden" so they know the UTL percentage or are these not included in that calculation? 

Reason I ask:

I have an unpaid Cap One collection of $985 which I'm going to pay off and I'm $1200 behind on SL payments (90 days).  I have no other open tradelines.  I just opened a Crown Jewelers $1500 account to improve my UTL to get positive credit.  Will this improve my utilization percentage?  It seems like it won't even make a dent.

It seems like in order to get to the FICO ideal of  30% or less utilized versus available I'd have to have $182K in open available tradelines!!!  This doesn't make sense - even though my credit is bad I'm not alone in having a mortgage payment, autos, etc and I don't know anyone who has that much available in tradelines.

Can you help explain?

[Anonymous]

The Capital One charge off...is sill being calculated into you overall UTL...what is the original CL on it???...if it's lower than the balance...it looks like you are over your CL...so add that in to...that's why it needs to be paid ASAP...

[Ally_j135]

Slyhouse am I correct in saying that her Student loans, morage, and car loan are installment acct and not revolving therefore they don't factor into her Utilization %?

[Anonymous]

Installment does have UTL...is does not have a impact like Revolving UTL...but if her UTL is at 108%...that's not good...all I'm saying is...it at least need to be at 100%...or under...never over...so what ever is over the original CL...need to be paid...up to the CL...or below...

[Anonymous]

But...I think the reason the UTL is so high is because of the Capital One CO..especially if there are no other open CC's...

[Anonymous]

So, maybe I'm just hoping and dreaming, but the payoff of the Capital One ($985 on original $500 limit) and the addition of Crown Jewelers could significantly affect that 108% regardless of mortgage and auto?  That's good news - please don't shatter my dream....haha.  Thanks for all of the feedback.