ok - the only time the balance on your card matters is when it reports. Basically, pay them off or down before the statement cut date and you'll be fine.
Try to only allow ONE card to report at less than 10% for maximum scoring. However, UTIL is only a snapshot in time, so if you let some balances report over the holidays and pay off by due dates - it will only affect your scores for the one month. You will rebound. I did this the month I bought new tires, and will probably do it again over holidays and pay all off in January.
I don't see that you have an installment type loan (mortgage/auto/student/personal loan). If you can get one (shared secured from Credit unions are good for these) it will help your credit mix portion of your score.
Otherwise - what you really need to do is garden. Let your card grow - only apply for CLIs that don't involve hard pulls to your credit to slowly raise your limits. I don't know what any of your limits are or how old some of the cards are - but you can hit the LUV button on CapOne shortly after 2nd statement cuts. Also if you are in the Credit Steps you will get an auto increase after 5 statements of paying on time.
You may want to wait a bit before applying for anything new. 18 inquiries is not on your good side. They fall off after 2 years tho - so depending on how old some are - they will fall off as time goes by.
Keep UTIL low and payments on time - and you'll grow......It takes time tho - and patience is a virtue that few of us in the rebuilding forum have.
