How to best build and track your credit

Review Your Credit Report Regularly—and Keep an Eye on Your Credit Score

This woman learned the hard way that a less-than-stellar credit score has the potential to cost you thousands. She only checked her credit report, which seemed fine—but didn’t get her actual credit score, which told a different story.

Keep Your Credit Use Below 30% of Your Total Available Credit

Otherwise known as your credit utilization rate, you calculate it by dividing the total amount on all of your credit cards by your total available credit. And if you’re using more than 30% of your available credit, it can ding your credit score.

If You Have Bad Credit, Get a Secured Credit Card

A secured card helps build credit like a regular card—but it won’t let you overspend. And you don’t need good credit to get one! Here’s everything you need to know about secured credit cards.