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 balances in full each month
Keep old credit accounts open
Avoid opening too many new accounts at once
Limit hard inquiries on your credit reports
Maintain a long average credit history
Mix different types of credit responsibly
Check your credit reports regularly for errors
Dispute inaccurate information immediately
Become an authorized user on a well-managed account if appropriate
Use credit consistently and responsibly over time
Avoid late payments, collections, charge-offs, and defaults
Keep installment loan payments current
Let accounts age instead of frequently closing them
Request credit limit increases when appropriate
Monitor your credit utilization across all cards
Avoid maxing out any single card
Keep a stable financial profile
Practice patience and consistency over years