7 month status and Request for help

I've been working on cleaing my reports for about 7 months- I'm taking it VERY slow right now. I'd like some wisdom about my plan and fixing a couple mistakes from the CreditNet experts.

Experian - 574 / now CE FAKO 618, PG FAKO 597
Equifax - 499/ now PG FAKO 590
TransUnion- 478 / now PG FAKO 581

Here's what the reports look like now they WERE ALOT WORSE:

TRANSUNION: (Main problem - very few tradelines reporting to TU)
Negs: 7
1. Open Collection, $686, unpaid sent validation letter #1 10/6
2. Car Loan, Several 30 day late payments
3. Student Loan #1 - borrowed 2600/ owe 3556,
many late payments 30 days, 60 days and 90 days over 48 mo
period. TU states max 90+ day occurred in 7/01 although
Worth knowing gives a bit different history
4. Student Loan #2 - same as above except balance
borrowed 790 / owe $909
5. Capital One - OPEN, 2 x 30 days 1/03 & 4/03
6. Household Bank - OPEN, 2 x 30 days 10/01, 1/03
7. Capital One - CLOSED - 2 x 30 days 3/02, 6/02

Positives: 5 (all closed and pd off) 2 Cap 1 Accounts, Exxon, ATT, Providian


EXPERIAN: 66% utilization
Negs: 7
1. Open Collection - same as #1 in TU
2. Bealls , Unpd Chargeoff. Have sent payment arrangement letter, agreed to pay for deletion, no response. Sent 2nd letter 10/6
3. Pd Collection, $98, Sent Nutcase/Validation #1 10/6
4. Fingerhut - Closed, PD in full, +150 day late 4/02
5. Cap 1 - same as above
6. Household - Same as above
7. Cap 1 - same as above

Positives:
14 (closed & open accounts)


EQUIFAX:
Negs:
1. Open Collection- Same as #1 in TU
2. Pd Collection - Same as Experian #3
3. Certegy - check (have sent letters to pay if they delete, they ignore the letters, I sent another 10/6 as soon as I get the green card I will start a dispute)
4. Cap 1 - Same as TU #5
5. Household - Same as TU #6
6. Cap 1 - Same as TU #7
7. Nelnet - Same as student loans above - except smaller loan amount the balance history is clean.

Unsure:
Household - Account reports as "Lost/Stolen" no history
I have disputed this MANY times keeps coming back- HH states that it has no negative impact

Fingerhut- Same account detailed in TU- but all negative balance history is gone. Only questionable cmment is "Grantor closed account)

OK- my questions:

I have two open revolving accounts (Cap 1/Household) that are at their limits. I made the mistake of paying off accounts & closing them- dropping my limit/raising my utilization. My student loans are more than what I borrowed due to deferments etc over the years.


* Early on I disputed many account which were deleted completely and have never shown b ack up. IE my auto loan on Equifax, my student loans on Experian. I am wondering if anyone thinks it's worth it to get them added back on. The negative payment history is gone/but so is the tradeline.

* Experian converted my car loan to CLEAN positive reference when I disputed it. It has remained that way- but the balance has not changed its almost $2000 off. I'm worried about disputing it - having the bad information come back.

* I'm going the validation route for the collection account (s) and nutcase for the pd collection-- how long should i wait before requesting Goodwill on Cap 1 (2 x 30 on 1 account, 2 x 30 on a closed account, and 2 perfect Cap 1 accounts) and Household (2 x 30)?

* Should I worry about the Lost/stolen account and the "grantor closed" account?

* NEW credit- looking at opening a Secured Credit Union loan- is this a better option for rebuilding than say a secured credit card or should I look into both.

THANK YOU SO MUCH !!! SORRY THIS WAS LONG- I just wanted to make sur ei gave all the information

 

<self serving bump>