CREDIT BUILDING CHECKLIST
A step-by-step plan to build or rebuild your credit — plus a score tracker
Starting Score
Goal Score
Good credit is built with small, boring, consistent habits — you've got this 🌿
Checklist + Tracker
✓ CREDIT-BUILDING STEPS
Pull your free credit reports
Get all three at AnnualCreditReport.com — check for errors (see our dispute template).
Pay every bill on time, every time
Payment history is ~35% of your score. Set autopay for at least the minimum on each account.
Keep credit utilization under 30% (aim for 10%)
Balance owed ÷ credit limit. Pay down cards or ask for a limit increase.
Don't close your oldest card
Length of credit history helps your score — keep old accounts open and active.
Consider a secured card or credit-builder loan
Great starting point if you have no credit or are rebuilding.
Become an authorized user
Ask a trusted family member with good credit to add you to their card.
Only apply for new credit when you need it
Each hard inquiry can dip your score a few points — space applications out.
Check your score monthly & track progress
Free apps and many banks show your score — use the tracker below.
MONTHLY SCORE TRACKER
Month
Score
Util. %
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
MY CREDIT ACCOUNTS
Account
Limit
Balance
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
✅ Do
• Pay on time — set reminders or autopay
• Keep balances low vs. your limits
• Keep old accounts open
• Check your reports for free every year
• Be patient — credit builds over months
🚫 Don't
• Max out your cards
• Miss or skip a payment
• Apply for lots of new credit at once
• Close your oldest card
• Pay for "credit repair" you can DIY
"Your credit score is a snapshot, not a life sentence — small habits move it every month." 🌿
🎯 My Next Milestone
By
I want my score to reach
. The one habit I'll focus on this month is
.