I've been battling an internal struggle between what I'll refer to as Scrooge McDuck (frugal) and Steve Urkel (data nerd) in a Death Match. Both came out bloody and gave it their all for a couple of days, but Scrooge McDuck is the victor. I'm too cheap to pay $160 (2 months of myFICO Premiere for my DW and myself) to view datapoints, when it probably won't change my course of action. After making the below adjustments, Steve Urkel may return in Round 2 for the win... just prior to mortgage apping to get an idea where we stand.
So after some evaluation, this is my course of action at this time (subject to change 20 times in the next hour if Urkel drinks a Red Bull).
- Remove DW as AU on my Disco - this TL has no positive on her account since it lowers her AAoA and its balance is currently over 9%. Even if I pay it down to just below 9%, it won't help her much at all.
- Just not sure if the mortgage scores will see the AMEX BCE as a revolver with a balance and not penalize her for not having usage.
- Will do this immediately before my Disco reports and dispute with CRA's to remove ASAP.
- Pay my Disco down to $4900. This only gets me to 24.4% UTI on that card, but it brings my account to below 9% aggregate individually and with the AU account. Will check to see how this affects EX 2. If there isn't much improvement, then next step:
- Pay Disco down to around $1700 to get in below the 9% threshold. Ask Disco to do a mid-report (I've seen it mentioned they allow that, correct me if I'm wrong as this may change plans!).
- I'm also going to pay her AMEX down to $10k, to bring her under the 29% threshold for individual account. Probably won't affect mortgage scores (if we are correct with our assumptions that her CL is above their max limit settings), but will boost her FICO 8 scores.
Thanks for the help, everyone! I'll update on datapoints as they happen.
Update:
- Removed DW from my Disco and disputed EX same day (hoping they would remove immediately). It's been a week, and EX hasn't removed it yet.
- Disputed on EQ a few days later and still hasn't been removed. It looks like it takes a week or so for EX and EQ to remove AU accounts based on previous posts on MF.
- Disputed TU same day as EQ, and they removed lightening quick... as in split-second of hitting the button. Had a VS3 score update since TU removed the AU account, and the VS3 score jumped up 15 points! It would be nice if Fico responds as nicely, but we are remaining optimistic.
- My Disco has been paid down and statement cut. This puts me below 9% aggregate. Waiting to see what type of scores I get after giving it a few days to report on all CRA's.
- With the Coronavirus scare picking up locally, my wife's office will be deciding if they will close if/when the local school system closes. She will be without a paycheck during the closing (maybe they will allow using vacation time, but it didn't seem like that was being offered), so I'm thinking we need to hold on to the $$ I was planning on putting towards bringing my Disco down. Better safe than sorry...
Thanks, BM7!
I already had $1000 earmarked for BCE pay down, so it doesn't come out of any "extra" funding I have set aside for the "savings cushion" to look pretty to a lender. I plan on forging ahead to bring it down below 29%.
I really want to see how the BCE reports on the mortgage scores... is it ignored or not. If so, it sounds like I need to leave a small amount on one of her other cards?
I wish EX would hurry up and remove my Disco from her reports... she has her only EX inquiry hitting 365 days this week. It shows as 3/12/19, so will it be 3/12/20 or 3/13/20 when it drops off? Since we had a leap year this year, does that mean it will be 366 days?
My nemesis to AZEO, US Bank, is my DW's only revolver that hasn't reported yet this month (other than BCE, that is). I always struggle with USB fighting with those pesky pending transactions! 
I need to learn how to do an ACH payment outside of USB's interface, but now is not the time to take that kind of risk (I just heard about this technique from someone's post a month or so ago).
I can allow a few $ slip through this month and report. However, if it ends up messing things up with a drop in her score... is USB someone that will do an off cycle report?
Did another EX trial today 3/11, last one expired on 3/6. Below are screenshots of EX 2. Score dropped -2 (from 713 to 711).
Note the reason code changes.
- "Not using revolving credit" makes an appearance. Looks like EX 2 is indeed ignoring the Amex BCE CL of $35k.
- "Seeking credit" disappeared, so does that mean the EX inquiry from 3/12/19 is no longer factored (a bit earlier than expected due to leap year)
or did it just get pushed out of view due to the new code above? EDIT: EX reports 0 inquires in the "Amount of New Credit" tab, so leap year did play a role on dropping the inquiry earlier than expected.
Weird thing that I was not expecting. EX 8 dropped 11 points! This has me scratching my head.
Only changes from 3/6 to 3/11 reports are:
- My Disco AU account moved to "Paid, Closed" and terminated responsibility status
- Auto loan reported with payment made (went from 66% paid to 68% paid).
- Looks like the EX inquiry is no longer counted, as I'm getting the "not seeking credit" reason code EDIT: EX reports 0 inquires in the "Amount of New Credit" tab, so leap year did play a role on dropping the inquiry earlier than expected.
