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Credit Tips

Small, unglamorous moves that meaningfully improve your rate.

Pay down revolving utilization

Aim for under 30% utilization on every card, and under 10% on your highest-limit card. Utilization is one of the largest short-term score movers.

Don't close old accounts

Older accounts help your average age of credit. Keeping a $0-balance card open usually helps more than closing it.

Dispute errors immediately

Wrong balances, mistaken late payments, or lingering accounts you paid — dispute in writing with each bureau.

Avoid new credit before applying

Every new inquiry and account drops your average age of accounts and adds an inquiry. Don't finance furniture before you close.

Talk to us before big moves

Sometimes a payoff hurts your file (paid-off installments can drop scores temporarily). We plan the sequence with you.

Ask Mike's AI