How to Raise Your Credit Score.

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By Amy Laine
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Credit not where you want it. Try these steps to get a higher credit score.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Step 1

Make sure to pay your bills on time. Delinquent payments can have a major negative impact on your score. Someone can raise their credit score as much as 20 points if they pay all their bills on time for a month.
Step 2

Keep balances low on credit cards. High outstanding debt can affect your score. You will lower your score dramatically by having high balances on your credit.
Step 3

Do not open credit cards that you don't need. New accounts will lower your average account age. This could lower your score by up to 10 points at one time.
Step 4

Having a few credit cards is good, because it shows a credit history. Although you must manage them responsibly, or this will get you into trouble. In general, having credit cards and installment loans (and making timely payments) will raise your score. Someone with no credit cards, for example, tends to be higher risk than someone who has managed credit cards responsibly.
Step 5

Choose credit wisely. Closing an account doesn't make it go away. A closed account will still show up on your credit report and may be factored into the score.

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