06/15/2026
THE BASICS:
1. Your credit score is between 300 and 850. Most lenders want 700 or above for good rates.
2. Three bureaus track your credit: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. They don't always match.
3. Check your reports free once a year at the Annual Credit Report website. Most people never look.
4. A hard inquiry happens when a lender pulls your credit. Too many at once hurts your score.
5. Payment history is the biggest factor. One missed payment can drop you 50 to 100 points.
THE NUMBERS:
6. Credit utilization is how much of your available credit you're using. Keep it under 30%.
7. Paying your balance in full every month means zero interest. The card works for you.
8. The age of your accounts matters. Don't close old cards just because you don't use them.
9. A credit mix helps your score. A card plus an installment loan both count.
10. Becoming an authorized user on someone else's account adds their history to yours.
THE MOVES:
11. Set up autopay for the minimum on every card so you never miss a due date.
12. If you have no credit, open a secured card. Deposit money as collateral and build from zero.
13. Dispute any error on your report in writing. Bureaus have 30 days to investigate or remove it.
14. Don't apply for multiple cards at once. Space applications at least six months apart.
15. A 0% intro APR is only free if you pay the full balance before the promo period ends.
THE BIGGER PICTURE:
16. Good credit is not about loving debt. It's about access and options when you need them.
17. A high credit score gets you lower rates on mortgages. Over a lifetime, the gap is massive.
18. Landlords, employers, and insurers check your credit. It affects more than just borrowing.
19. Building credit takes time. Start early, stay consistent, the score takes care of itself.
20. Your credit score is not your worth. But in America, it opens and closes real doors.
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