Unlock a Better Credit Score: 10 Insider Tips You Need to Know

Your credit score is a key factor in your financial health, influencing your ability to get loans, rent an apartment, or even secure a job. The good news? Understanding what affects your score can help you take the right steps to improve it—sometimes faster than you’d expect!

What Impacts Your Credit Score?
Credit scores typically range from 300 to 850, with higher scores indicating better creditworthiness. The five main factors that determine your score are:

• Payment History (35%) – Paying bills on time is the most important factor. Late or missed payments can significantly lower your score.
• Credit Utilization (30%) – This refers to how much of your available credit you use. Keeping balances low (below 30% of your limit) helps improve your score.
• Length of Credit History (15%) – The longer your accounts have been open, the better. Lenders like to see a history of responsible credit use
• Credit Mix (10%) – Having a mix of different types of credit (credit cards, loans, etc.) can be beneficial.
• New Credit Inquiries (10%) – Opening multiple new accounts in a short period can hurt your score, as it suggests financial instability.

If your score isn’t where you want it to be, don’t worry—there are both traditional and lesser-known strategies you can use to boost it!

10 Powerful Tips to Improve Your Credit Score

1. Request a Credit Limit Increase
   Ask your credit card issuer for a higher limit, but don’t increase your spending! This lowers your credit utilization ratio, which can boost your score.
2. Become an Authorized User
   A trusted family member with good credit can add you as an authorized user on their credit card. Their positive payment history can help increase your score, even if you don’t use the card!
3. Use a Rent-Reporting Service*
   Your rent payments don’t automatically count toward your credit—but they can! Services like Self, Rental Kharma, and Experian Boost report rent payments to the credit bureaus, helping you build credit history.
4. Pay Twice a Month
   Instead of making one large payment, split it into two smaller payments each month. This keeps your balance lower throughout the month and improves your credit utilization ratio.
5. Dispute Errors on Your Credit Report
   A simple mistake—like an incorrect late payment—could be hurting your score. Check your report regularly and dispute any inaccuracies to correct errors that may be holding you back.
6. Use Experian Boost (or a similar service) for Score Improvement*
   Free tools like Boost from Experian or Self, let you add utility, phone, and streaming service payments (like Netflix and Hulu) to your credit report, giving you a quick boost.
7. Open a Credit-Builder Loan
   Some credit unions, online lenders and American Financial Solutions offer credit-builder loans, where your payments are reported to credit bureaus. This is a great way to build or rebuild credit.
8. Pay Off Small Balances on Multiple Cards
   If you have small balances across multiple credit cards, pay them off instead of carrying them over. Lenders look at how many accounts have balances, not just your total debt.
9. Ask for a “Goodwill Adjustment”
   If you have a single late payment on an otherwise good account, call your lender and ask for a “goodwill adjustment.” If you have a strong history, they may remove the late payment!
10. Work with a Financial Counselor or Coach
    Improving your credit can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. A financial coach or counselor can help you:

• Understand your credit report,
• Develop a personalized debt repayment strategy, and
• Build habits that improve your financial health.

Take Control of Your Credit Future
Improving your credit score takes time, but with the right steps—and the right support—you can take charge of your financial future. Ready to get started? Reach out to a financial counselor today! 

*Disclaimer: We do not endorse or promote any specific financial products, services, or institutions. Our goal is to provide educational information to help individuals make informed financial decisions. We encourage everyone to conduct their own research and seek professional advice when considering financial products or services.

Published Feb 27, 2025.