The Asked

Chapter 03 — Money & Finance

How do I improve my credit score?

Pay every bill on time (35% of the score), keep credit-card utilisation under 30% and ideally under 10%, don't close old accounts, and only apply for new credit when needed. Changes show up in 1–3 months.

Follow-up questions

What's a good credit score?

740+ (US FICO) or 800+ (UK Experian) gets you the best rates on mortgages, cards, and loans.

Does checking my score hurt it?

No — your own checks are 'soft' pulls. Only lender applications ('hard' pulls) ding it, temporarily.

How long do late payments stay?

Seven years, but their weight fades after 24 months of on-time behaviour.

Do closed accounts hurt?

They can, by shortening your average account age and reducing available credit. Keep old zero-fee cards open.

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