conversation: User (newroots808): "Hello,\n\nPosting this in hopes someone might be able to clear this up for me or provide a better answer. I have been researching postings and forums all over for the past couple of weeks about fixing my credit. \n\nA brief summary of my situation. I am 30 years old with a total amount of about $5,000 in debt. All in collection status. My current Fico score being 589. I recently got approved for a Capital One credit card with a limit of $200 which I have only been spending about $25 a month on. Which has helped my credit score but not much.\n\n I have enough saved money to pay off most of what is in collections. But I have read that just paying off what is in collections won't really raise my credit score and that I should try for PTD. Which I have also read that my chances are slim that the CA will accept doing that. So my question being is what is the best thing to do to raise my credit. Is just paying the debts the best option? When would I see an increase in my credit score? Also I have read about letting debts just stay there for the seven years and they will drop off but that doesn't seem like a good idea for me considering most are only from about 3 to 4 years ago. \n\nIf anyone has some tips that would be greatly appreciated ."
  Self: "PFD is always better than just paying off the collection and having it remain on your credit report."
  