Quick Overview of Ways to Raise Your Credit Score:

1. Repair your credit report. Your credit score is derived from your credit report. You will need to get a copy online, through the mail, or call for it. Find the negative items (late payments, collections, bankruptcies, etc.) and dispute them.

2. Pay down your credit cards to below 50% of their limits. Example: You have a credit card with a limit of $1000 you need to get your balance you owe to below $500.

3. Consolidate your debt. This can help you with getting your credit card balances below 50%. You can get a loan to pay off all your high interest credit cards. This will more than likely improve your score.

4. Do you have too many credit cards? Having too many credit cards may hurt your credit score. Try to have no more than 5 or 6 credit cards, but do not rush to cancel any accounts yet. If you have a choice cancel the newer credit card accounts before the old ones. You do this because credit cards with a long history of payments has a very positive affect on your credit score.

5. Pay your bills on time! This needs no explanation.