Credit & Credit Scores

The score that decides what everything costs.

How credit scores actually work, what moves them, and how to fix the biggest damages faster than the internet says you can.

Guides in this topic

• What your credit score actually measures — Five factors, weighted. Two of them do most of the work. (5 min read)
• The 30% credit utilization rule, and why 10% is better — The single fastest way to raise a score without paying off any debt. (4 min read)
• How to dispute a credit report error — One in five credit reports has an error. The process is free and unglamorous. (5 min read)
• How to build credit from scratch (or after a wipeout) — Six months to a real score, twelve to a good one — without paying anyone for the privilege. (5 min read)
• The authorized-user shortcut (and its limits) — Piggybacking on a family member's credit card can boost a thin file — with caveats. (4 min read)

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