Today my Cap1 QS account reported that I owe a whole lot less on this statement than I did on the last statement. UTL dropped from 70% to 48%. TU 8 went up 5 pts. Exp 8 jumped 10 pts. Eq 8 didn't move, and that's my lowest score. But it's also the one hardest hit by my recent inquiries, so the lowered UTL may have just balanced it out and kept it from dropping.
[EDIT: Equifax was slower to react, but it went up 17 points today 1/09 after my PenFed Gold reported my balance went down $27. But they may all drop a bit when Disco reports. That's where my spend has been this month and it's over 50% now.]
My aggregate debt continues to decrease while my total credit limit across all cards goes up, so my aggregate UTL is dropping fast. Currently at 19% reported (will be more like 15% when my new cards report), down from 37% a few months ago. Moving towards my goal of sub-10% UTL.
Most of this actually happened in December, but it shows where I stand now in early January.
Between Dec 4 and Jan 4:
Opened three new cards, $2k, $6.5k, and $5k.
Upgraded my Cap1 Platinum to Quicksilver, something I should have done years ago, but I wasn't aware of such a thing. (No change in CL.)
Got a CLI on my Eddie Bauer card, from $1120 up $480 to $1600.
So I added a total of $13980 to the $15370 I had, a 91% increase in total credit limits!
Now my inquiries and new accounts opened looks nasty, but I see that as a short-term hit for long-term gain.
I need to figure out how to garden. Where do I get one of those spades?
[EDIT: Never mind. I found it. I'll have to add my seedling after I get the 'Vette.]
Though I still plan to buy a car in the next month or two, if my recent spree hasn't killed my chances there. Does car buying disqualify me from gardening? That's the only other credit line I intend to add for 2021, or most of 2021 anyway. 
EQ8 755, TU8 749, EX8 766 as of February 4
Happy New Year Everyone!!!
2021 Financial Goals
1. Increasing my savings
2. Continue paying bills on time every month
3. Work towards being debt free ( paying off loans, credit cards and paying my only monthly living expenses)
This forum has been great for helping to keep me on track and motivated towards being debt free
@ThetoriParadox wrote:Hey! New MyFico Fitness Challanger here! I have been on these boards a LONG time and feel very confident and proud of my progress.
This second REbuild has been a DOOZY
My goals for this year are:
1. Bulk up the savings account
2.Grow my current cards and get rid of my rebuilders
3. Pay back ALL collections
4. Pay off car loan
5. STAY ON BUDGET!
Can't wait to CRUSH this year financially!
I hear you on #2. I was living off of strictly cash for the better part of 4-5 years, and I got two "starter" cards (I like to call them burners}. They have served their purpose and live in the safe now. I'm enjoying chasing after the cash back now but I'm not "manufacturing" any spending to do so.
Starting Score: 700Today was a big day for me. I put down an initial deposit on a new construction home that's currently a patch of grass. I was sad to see that money fly out of my savings account that I nurtured and babied for the last 2 years, but I knew it was there mainly for this purpose. Sigh.
Anyway, I spoke to a loan officer for the builder's mortage company and he ran the numbers unofficially and I'll get a good part of my deposits back after closing, so I'll definitely put that money back in savings.
My credit score took a slight dip as my new AMEX account hit the books, but I'm still sitting pretty good all things considered.
Oh- I changed my starting score to my 1 Jan 2020 Experian score- I figure that would give me a better picture of how I'm doing.