Pay every bill on time, every time
Keep credit card balances very low
Use less than 30% of your credit limits, ideally under 10%
Pay credit card statements in full each month
Never miss a payment
Avoid maxing out any card
Keep older credit accounts open
Build a long credit history
Apply for new credit only when necessary
Limit hard inquiries on your credit report
Check your credit reports regularly for errors
Dispute any inaccurate information immediately
Maintain a mix of credit types if needed
Keep installment loan payments current
Avoid closing your oldest accounts
Avoid opening too many accounts at once
Become an authorized user on a well-managed account
Ask for credit limit increases without increasing spending
Use credit consistently, but lightly
Set up automatic payments and reminders
Keep debt levels low overall
Monitor your credit score and progress regularly