If your credit could look a little better, ask if you have one of these habits that hurt your credit.

• First, waiting too long to establish credit. Lenders need to see a track record.  So start early, maybe with a credit card you use just a little and pay off regularly.
  
  
• Second, late payments.  If you’re a few days late, it shouldn’t affect your credit score, but 30 days late will cause your score to nosedive.
  
  
• Third, using too much of your available credit.  Don’t get in too deep. Try to use less than 30% of your credit limit on a credit card.
  
  
• Finally, don’t close longstanding accounts. If you have an unused credit card for example, with a good payment history connected to it, let it ride.  Your credit score will thank you.

Do us a favor please.  Tell your friends about us so they can be smarter about their money too.