Credit Score Coach

Free credit score apps

• Credit Karma — TransUnion + Equifax. Free, no credit card needed.
• Experian app — your Experian score free.
• Capital One CreditWise — free even without a Capital One card.
• Chase Credit Journey — free, even non-customers.
• WalletHub — daily score updates.
• annualcreditreport.com — free actual credit reports (federal). Once per year per bureau, but as of 2024 it\'s every WEEK.

What ACTUALLY moves your score

1. Payment history (35%) — pay every bill on time. Set autopay for at least the minimum.
2. Credit utilization (30%) — use less than 30% of available limit. Pay off cards before statement closes.
3. Length of credit history (15%) — keep oldest cards open even if rarely used.
4. Credit mix (10%) — having mortgage + credit card + auto loan is good.
5. New credit (10%) — opening lots of new accounts hurts short-term.

Common myths

• "Closing old cards helps" — actually HURTS by reducing total available credit.
• "Carrying a balance helps" — false. Pay in full. Carrying = paying interest.
• "Checking your own credit hurts your score" — false. You can check it daily.
• "Married couples share a credit score" — false. Separate scores.
• "Income is part of the score" — false. Not directly.
• "Late payment hurts" — yes, even one. Stays on report 7 years.

What\'s a good score?

• 800+ = Exceptional. Best loan rates anywhere.
• 740-799 = Very good. Great rates.
• 670-739 = Good. Most loans, decent rates.
• 580-669 = Fair. Higher rates, fewer options.
• Under 580 = Poor. Hard to get loans.