Galoma

Thanks for double checking my math, good call! I would be able to pay the additional $3k by late April/May - but will need to start the mortgage approval process before that (lease timing!). I'm having a hard time finding information about the collection agency - it's The Bureau's, and it's (shockingly ) a tough one to search on CB.

Helpful, thank you! Would something like this be on the right track? Or do you have any perspective on paying those smaller cards (gap/target/paypal) but be over 30% util on one of the Chase cards? Name Balance Limit % Util Citi AA $850.00 $3,000.00 28.33% Citi 2 $0.00 $550.00 0.00% Cap1 $0.00 $600.00 0.00% Cap2 $0.00 $2,250.00 0.00% AmEx $0.00 $1,000.00 0.00% AmEx Hilton $0.00 $1,000.00 0.00% Chase Freedom $0.00 $2,000.00 0.00% Chase Slate $0.00 $500.00 0.00% CSP $4,000.00 $14,000.00 28.57% Chase Marriott $6,000.00 $21,100.00 28.44% Gap $700.00 $2,500.00 28.00% Target $750.00 $2,600.00 28.85% PayPal $750.00 $2,597.00 28.88% Overstock $0.00 $3,450.00 West Elm $0.00 $1,800.00 Loft $0.00 $1,100.00 Total $13,050.00 $60,047.00 21.73%

TL;DR - What would be the best "bang for my buck" with $30k to improve my mortgage FICO? Context: We're looking to buy May/June. We spoke with a mortgage broker, and my husband is fine, but I currently have a 611 mid score. The only negative on my report is one old collection (4 years ago, ~$600, currently working to remove, but will pay if that's recommended). My newest account is 2 years old, oldest is 6 years. Everything has good payment history, no lates; the high balances seem to be the biggest driver of my score. Income is $165k, and jobs are stable. Our only other debt is one car payment, ~$550/mo, and we owe $25k. I'll be receiving ~$30k in March that I want to throw at this debt in a smart way that will impact my score and hopefully push it up towards that 640. My initial thought was to just pay everything to a 30ish% utilization? Is there something more strategic that would be more helpful? Any insight or thoughts would be appreciated! Card Balance Credit Limit Utlization Citi AA $1,777.35 $3,000.00 59.25% Citi 2 $368.74 $550.00 67.04% Cap1 $0.00 $600.00 0.00% Cap2 $117.09 $2,250.00 5.20% AmEx $26.45 $1,000.00 2.65% AmEx Hilton $35.01 $1,000.00 3.50% Chase Freedom $1,107.47 $2,000.00 55.37% Chase Slate $80.85 $500.00 16.17% CSP $13,491.21 $14,000.00 96.37% Chase Marriott $20,359.00 $21,100.00 96.49% Gap $1,110.48 $2,500.00 44.42% Target $2,550.00 $2,600.00 98.08% PayPal $2,047.00 $2,597.00 78.82% Overstock $0.00 $3,450.00 West Elm $0.00 $1,800.00 Loft $0.00 $1,100.00 Total $43,070.65 $58,947.00 73.07%

My mirror is still firmly attached.... not even a bit loose...

I do. I feel like I missed my boat about 5 1/2 years ago when the H FIRST cheated on me. Instead, I sat around sure that things would get better, 'cause... dude. How could they NOT? We're great friends. But, somehow , here we are, 5 years and a kid later, and oh, look. Nothing.changed. Yep. I feel you.

Sweet. As. Pie. She's even placed another order since. C R A Z Y. Um. No. I really hope underwear isn't illegal anywhere... Word.

Yay!! Labs are pretty awesome... no Boxer, but still awesome

I'm calling us both lazy and easily persuaded to drink beer vs run.

I'm..... not I failed. Starting tomorrow! HOPEFULLY, Snork's impending nuptials will inspire her to not ditch me anymore. But congrats on continuing!!!

Isn't that the truth? Unless it's a special occasion, I'm the mean mom that makes my kids go to sleep at more or less the same time on weekends and vacation. Me too.

I guess it's a good thing I didn't come over for a movie and beer last night.

you're welcome. Enjoy

Dude. Shoes, people. Focus.

Thanks