You are just starting out, congratulations on the new cards last month.
Why would you want them to report zeros? You are building your file, and likely are not applying for anything for some time ($5k and $3k are fine limits) so just use them regularly and PIF by the payment due date.
If you start forcing these cards to report zeros, in my opinion, you are doing yourself a disservice in the long term building of your credit.
I think this also is not a positive in the perception other CCC will have in the future about your actual usage and ability to handle credit, particularly on a manual review, and possibly on a bank algorithm perception of your usage.
How many points boost are you being told that reporting mostly zeros will get you? 
What I am trying to point out is, there is a difference between FICO score and credit file. If your credit file is loaded with a bunch of zero reported balances, a few years from now, you will have a fine FICO score, likely a few points more than if you let all the cards report balances, but when a lender looks at the file, they won't see much usage.
If you aren't apping until a year from now (other threads you have going) why are you worried about zeros on card balances right now?
@NRB525 wrote:How many points boost are you being told that reporting mostly zeros will get you?
What I am trying to point out is, there is a difference between FICO score and credit file. If your credit file is loaded with a bunch of zero reported balances, a few years from now, you will have a fine FICO score, likely a few points more than if you let all the cards report balances, but when a lender looks at the file, they won't see much usage.
If you aren't apping until a year from now (other threads you have going) why are you worried about zeros on card balances right now?
Ahh I see what you mean.
So you're saying don't give a damn about util, then? LOL.
Maybe until a month or two before I app?
@Anonymous wrote:
@NRB525 wrote:How many points boost are you being told that reporting mostly zeros will get you?
What I am trying to point out is, there is a difference between FICO score and credit file. If your credit file is loaded with a bunch of zero reported balances, a few years from now, you will have a fine FICO score, likely a few points more than if you let all the cards report balances, but when a lender looks at the file, they won't see much usage.
If you aren't apping until a year from now (other threads you have going) why are you worried about zeros on card balances right now?
Ahh I see what you mean.
So you're saying don't give a damn about util, then? LOL.
Maybe until a month or two before I app?
Not exactly. Utilization, if possible, should be kept in check. Monthly spend for regular items like groceries and gasoline, some dining out, for example, items that are in a regular PIF cycle, is not likely to max out a $5k and $3k card limit. Having those report consistently and paying 100% prior to payment due date is a reasonable use of these cards.
As to beginning to watch utilization leading up to an app, yes that makes sense to do. Since that app seems to be 12 months away, no point in spending too much energy worrying or trying to keep zeros every month until then.
@NRB525 wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
@NRB525 wrote:How many points boost are you being told that reporting mostly zeros will get you?
What I am trying to point out is, there is a difference between FICO score and credit file. If your credit file is loaded with a bunch of zero reported balances, a few years from now, you will have a fine FICO score, likely a few points more than if you let all the cards report balances, but when a lender looks at the file, they won't see much usage.
If you aren't apping until a year from now (other threads you have going) why are you worried about zeros on card balances right now?
Ahh I see what you mean.
So you're saying don't give a damn about util, then? LOL.
Maybe until a month or two before I app?
Not exactly. Utilization, if possible, should be kept in check. Monthly spend for regular items like groceries and gasoline, some dining out, for example, items that are in a regular PIF cycle, is not likely to max out a $5k and $3k card limit. Having those report consistently and paying 100% prior to payment due date is a reasonable use of these cards.
As to beginning to watch utilization leading up to an app, yes that makes sense to do. Since that app seems to be 12 months away, no point in spending too much energy worrying or trying to keep zeros every month until then.
Yeah the thing is, is that my Discover ($500 limit) is my go to card. it maxes out frequently...