Having a high credit score can open many doors for you. If you follow these simple tips, you can maintain a high credit score, and ensure that you always get the credit you deserve.

Pay all bills on time. If you typically pay bills late, you are considered a higher risk, and your credit score will decrease. Establishing a pattern of paying bills on time will improve your credit score. Always pay bills early if possible.

Avoid bankruptcy, foreclosure and repossessions. These actions all have a disastrous effect on your credit score and your ability to get credit in the future. Avoid these at all costs.

Keep a low credit utilization rate. Your utilization rate is the amount of your available credit that you use. You can maintain a low utilization rate by keeping your credit balances to less than 35% of available credit. “Maxing out” a credit card can damage your credit score.

Be careful about co-signing. If the other person has bad credit or doesn’t pay the bill, your credit rating is on the line.

Pay your library and parking fines. Believe it or not, these unpaid fines can hurt your credit if they are reported to a credit-reporting agency.

Review your credit report for accuracy. You can get one free credit report annually from the three main credit bureaus. For more info, Click Here.