What’s actually dragging your score down
Before you do anything, pull your free credit report at AnnualCreditReport.com (the only federally mandated free source in the US). Look for:
- Late or missed payments (35% of your score)
- High credit utilization — balances above 30% of your limit (30% of your score)
- Collections or derogatory marks (serious drag)
- Short credit history (less actionable short-term)
Quick wins: months 1–2
- Pay down balances fast. Credit utilization updates every billing cycle. If you can get below 10%, your score can jump 20–50 points within 60 days.
- Dispute errors. 1 in 5 credit reports contains an error. File disputes directly with Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — they have 30 days to investigate.
- Become an authorized user. Ask a family member with good credit to add you to an old, low-utilization card. Their history partially becomes yours.
Medium-term moves: months 3–6
- Open a secured credit card. Put $200–$500 as a deposit, use it for one recurring bill, pay it off monthly. After 6 months, most issuers upgrade to unsecured.
- Set up autopay for all minimums. One missed payment resets progress. Payment history is the single biggest factor.
- Don’t close old accounts. Even a card you don’t use helps your average account age and available credit.
What not to do
- Don’t apply for multiple cards at once (hard inquiries drop your score temporarily)
- Don’t fall for credit repair companies that charge upfront fees — everything they do legally, you can do yourself for free
- Don’t ignore medical debt (it now has less weight in FICO 9 and 10, but still matters)
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.