Improving your credit score

Improving your credit score is more of a marathon than a sprint, but the "rules" of the game are actually pretty straightforward once you see how the points are distributed.

Think of your credit score as a financial GPA

The "Big Wins" (Payment & Utilization). These two categories make up about 65% of your score, so start here.

• Pay Everything on Time: Even one payment that is 30 days late can tank a high score by 60–100 points. Set up autopay for at least the minimum amount to ensure you never miss a deadline.

• Lower Your Credit Utilization: This is the ratio of your credit card balances to your limits.