If you do have a credit card, making regular small purchases, keeping your balances low and paying your bills on time will improve your credit score over time.

You’ll likely have to pay a higher interest rate, but there’s usually a low-to-mid-range option to be found.

Account management

Before signing up for an account, make sure you read the fine print on the card or loan terms. If they don’t allow you to take advantage of programs or features such as a revolving-credit card, check to see whether it’s a prime card or one that makes money on rewards. Credit cards that put your name on the line for credit and raise their rates based on your credit history can have a negative impact on your credit score so be sure to find the right credit card company to work with, you can view this page to get further details.

So while it may make more sense to sign up for a good card that offers many rewards, an extra card to manage will generally have a negative impact on your credit scores.

Don’t take out loans

Have you ever had to take out a loan to cover the price of groceries, rent or even a new car? If so, you’ll likely see your credit score hit a downward spiral.

Before borrowing, do some research to see if your creditworthy friend or family member can afford the loan or that your own credit is fair. If you owe $5,000 and can afford to pay $2,500, maybe you can get that $5,000 back later.

Look for a change of address

You don’t need to change your name or even change where you live to improve your credit score. Just make sure that you are now on the mailing address for the credit reporting company.

Keep your credit report up-to-date

If you think you are a victim of identity theft, it’s important that you immediately report the incident to the credit reporting agency. Don’t wait, however, because a delay in reporting a crime could be construed as a denial of credit.

Also, make sure you regularly check your credit reports and that you have paid your bills on time.

Have a good credit score

When it comes to debt repayment, it’s not as simple as paying your bills on time. Credit cards are a big part of the equation. Thе higher уоur сrеdіt саrd bаlаnсе іn rеlаtіоn tо уоur сrеdіt lіmіt, thе wоrѕе уоur credit ѕсоrе wіll be. Yоur соmbіnеd сrеdіt саrd bаlаnсеѕ ѕhоuld be within 30 реrсеnt of уоur соmbіnеd сrеdіt lіmіtѕ tо maintain a gооd сrеdіt score. Thаt’ѕ $300 оn сrеdіt саrdѕ wіth соmbіnеd lіmіtѕ оf $1,000.