(1)  Pay bills on time, which is 35+% of your FICA score OR at least pay the minimum.  (2)  Check your reports by requesting free credit report from a different reporting agency every 4 months thru   AnnualCreditReport.com   “Soft pull” is checking your own credit.  More & could indicate you are shopping interest rates for 1 loan.  (3)  Don’t apply for multiple credit cards at once, unless applying for a mortgage, auto or student loans.  Read terms carefully!  (4)  Don’t cancel plastic you don’t use unless it carries an annual fee.  Just keep it.  (5)  Don’t open too many new credit accounts at once, as this will lower the average “age” of your accounts, which can lower your credit score.  (6)  Keep credit balances relative low.  Maintaining a revolving credit balance under 10% is wise.  LAST 5 COMING.