The time to start being concerned about your credit score isnt when you are about to apply for credit. At that point, there is nothing you can do to change your current score. Your concern and efforts to ensure that you have an excellent credit score should be an ongoing process.

If you havent been doing what is necessary to ensure a high score, now is the time to start. Here are some tips on how to get an excellent credit score.

Get a copy of your credit report and make sure that it is accurate. Inaccurate information can harm your score. Get rid of any information that is wrong. This one step can improve your credit score dramatically.

Get credit only when you need it. Dont take out lines of credit just because you can or just in case.

When you do you use credit, always make your payments on time. This may be the most important factor of all.

Keep the balances on your available credit low. It is preferable to only be using about 25% of your available credit. Part of your score is based on the ratio of your debt to your credit limit. By keeping your balances low, you turn this into a favorable ratio. For this reason, do not close out old, unused credit accounts. Accounts with a zero balance will help improve the ratio.

Part of your credit score is based on how often your credit report is accessed. Keep the number of times it is accessed to a minimum.

Have a variety of types of debt. A mixture of fixed payment installment loans (mortgage, automobile, student loan) and revolving lines of credit (home equity, credit card) is favorable. It shows lenders that you can handle both fixed payments and variable payments at the same time.

Educate yourself on what a credit score is and how it is determined; this may help you take steps to make sure that your score is favorable.

Work diligently and patiently to improve your score. It may take time, but it will happen.