Published October 2025 | CreditVana Insights
Improving your credit score can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re just starting out or recovering from past financial missteps. But the good news is that credit scores are built on clear factors, and by focusing on the right habits, you can see results over time.
Whether you’re building credit from scratch or rebuilding after challenges, here are seven proven strategies to raise your credit score — along with how much they matter and how long it may take to see changes.
1. Make On-Time Payments
Why it matters: Payment history makes up 35% of your credit score — the single most important factor. Even one late payment (30+ days past due) can hurt your score for years.
What to do:
-
Set up autopay for at least the minimum due.
-
Use calendar reminders or alerts to stay on track.
-
Consider alternative credit-building tools that report rent, utilities, or subscription payments.
Timeline: A consistent on-time payment record can steadily lift your score. Negative marks like late payments will fade over time if you keep paying on time moving forward.
2. Pay Down Credit Card Balances
Why it matters: Your credit utilization ratio (the percentage of credit you’re using vs. your limits) accounts for about 30% of your score. Lower is always better.
What to do:
-
Focus on paying down high balances first.
-
Use repayment strategies like the snowball (smallest debt first) or avalanche (highest interest first).
-
Consider balance transfers or a debt consolidation loan if your rates are high.
-
Make multiple payments each month to keep balances lower when reported.
Timeline: Lenders typically report balances monthly, so you could see improvements in as little as a few billing cycles.
3. Keep Your Oldest Accounts Open
Why it matters: Length of credit history makes up 15% of your score. Closing an old credit card reduces your available credit and may shorten your average account age.
What to do:
-
Keep your oldest card active with a small recurring charge.
-
If it has a fee, ask your issuer if you can downgrade to a no-fee version instead of closing it.
Timeline: The impact can be immediate if you lose available credit. Over time, closing old accounts could reduce the average age of your credit history.
4. Diversify Your Credit Mix
Why it matters: 10% of your score comes from the types of credit you have (credit cards, auto loans, student loans, mortgages, etc.). A healthy mix shows you can manage different kinds of debt.
What to do:
-
Don’t take on unnecessary debt just for the sake of variety.
-
If you’re new to credit, consider a starter credit card or credit builder loan.
Timeline: Building a healthy mix is gradual — it happens naturally as you take on credit over time.
5. Limit New Credit Applications
Why it matters: Each hard inquiry when applying for new credit can drop your score slightly. Multiple inquiries in a short time may have a compounding effect. This category accounts for 10% of your score.
What to do:
-
Apply for new credit sparingly.
-
Look for prequalification offers that only use soft inquiries.
-
When shopping for loans, group applications within 14–45 days to minimize scoring impact.
Timeline: Inquiries remain on your report for two years, but affect your score for only about one year.
6. Dispute Errors on Your Credit Report
Why it matters: Incorrect information (like accounts that aren’t yours, wrongly reported late payments, or fraudulent activity) can drag your score down.
What to do:
-
Check your credit reports regularly from all three bureaus (Experian, TransUnion, Equifax).
-
Dispute errors directly with the bureaus.
-
Monitor for signs of identity theft.
Timeline: Most disputes are resolved within 30 days. If valid, negative information can be corrected or removed, improving your score.
7. Become an Authorized User
Why it matters: If you’re new to credit or trying to recover, being added as an authorized user on a trusted person’s account can give you their positive credit history.
What to do:
-
Ask a parent, spouse, or family member with strong credit to add you.
-
Ensure their account has a history of on-time payments and low utilization.
Timeline: Once reported, the account could show up on your credit report within a month or two.
CreditVana Takeaway
Raising your credit score is about consistency, patience, and smart strategy. Here’s the quick recap:
-
Pay on time.
-
Keep balances low.
-
Don’t close old accounts.
-
Mix credit responsibly.
-
Limit unnecessary applications.
-
Dispute errors quickly.
-
Leverage authorized user accounts if needed.
By sticking to these habits, you can steadily move your score upward and open the door to better credit card offers, loan approvals, and lower interest rates.
✅ Tip from CreditVana: Get your free 3-bureau credit scores instantly with CreditVana. Tracking all three helps you catch issues early, spot errors, and see your progress as you work to improve your financial future.
