1) The obvious one is to never go late on a payment, no matter what the size. Even a late payment on a store card with a $15 balance can drop your score like a rock.
2) Take a look at all your credit card balances versus the limit. If the total of all your balances is more than 30% of your available credit you have a problem. If the total on any one card is more than 30 % of the available credit on that card you have a problem. Tip: never use more than 30% of your available credit on any one card, or more than 30% of your total available credit. Exceeding the available credit on a card can really ding your score.
3) Do not close a credit card. This lowers your available credit and increases the percentage of available credit you are using. If you don't use those dormant cards the lender may cancel them thus lowering your available credit. Use all your cards, if only as convenience cards, so they are not taken away.
4) If possible pay off your card every month. If not, never make just the minimum payment.
Keep Your Good Credit!
