7 Tips for Improving Your Credit Score

The road to good credit is not as hard as you think.

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woman working while on the phone

Photo By Photo: Blend Images/Hill Street Studios/Getty Images

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Give Yourself Some Credit

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Order your credit reports.

Budget Well - Access to a corporate card isn’t license to go nuts; use it as frugally as you’d use your own. Try to put all business-related charges (meals, taxi rides, gas if you rent a car, client drinks, etc.) on the card to make it easier to reconcile your expenses at the end of the month. To make the most out of your travel, sign up for any offered rewards programs — points can add up to free travel and perks. (Photo: Jim Bourg /Landov)

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Get a credit card.

Lower Your Credit Card Interest Rate - Lowering your interest rate on your credit cards can be as easy as a nice demeanor and a phone call. If you have a $5,000 balance, even a 3 percent rate reduction saves you $150 a year. (Photo: Fuse/Getty Images)

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Pay your bills on time.

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Money Matters - While you’re in the cleaning spirit, you may want to do a little financial fixing as well. Start by evaluating your debt, expenses and budget with the help of Mint.com, a financial app that keeps your money matters in one place. It’s free, super easy and low maintenance. (Photo: JGI/Jamie Grill/Getty Images)

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Pay down credit card balances.

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Don’t close accounts.

Money Matters - They’re at the top of their game and the top of Forbes magazine’s most recent rankings of the 10 highest-earning NBA players. While last year’s lockout and shortened NBA season ate in to players’ paychecks, the following 10 ballers still managed to rake in the dough in terms of total earnings (salary, plus endorsements) this past season.—Britt Middleton (Photo: Mark Scott/Getty Images)

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Double up.

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Sit tight.