Credit Score Optimization
Your credit score controls the interest rate on everything. Learn what actually moves the needle and what's a waste of time.
“Your credit score is a number that banks invented to decide how much to charge you for borrowing money. The higher it is, the less you pay. Simple.”
What you'll learn
Payment history (35%) and credit utilization (30%) are 2/3 of your score. Pay on time, keep utilization under 30% (under 10% for best results). Everything else is noise by comparison.
Credit utilization has no memory. You can run up 90% utilization, pay it off before the statement date, and it won't affect your score. Use this strategically before applying for new credit.
Hard inquiries (10% of score): each one drops your score by ~5 points for a few months. Multiple inquiries for the same type of loan (mortgage, auto) within 14 days count as one. Credit card applications are NOT grouped.
Authorized user strategy: being added as an authorized user on someone else's old, well-managed card inherits their payment history. Can boost a thin file significantly. Works both ways — their mistakes become your mistakes.