When I first checked my credit score, it was a gut-punch.
624.
That number haunted me. I thought I was doing okay financially—I paid most of my bills, didn’t carry a ton of debt, and avoided credit cards for the most part. But I didn’t fully understand how credit worked, and it showed.
Fast forward less than two years later: My credit score now sits at 763.
Not only did I turn things around, but I did it faster than most people thought possible. And the best part? You can do it too.
Here’s exactly what I did, the mistakes I made along the way, and how you can build a 750+ credit score—possibly even faster than I did.
Why a 750+ Credit Score Matters
Let’s quickly talk about why that number even matters. A credit score is more than just a number—it’s a financial passport.
A score of 750 or above puts you in the “Excellent” category, unlocking:
- Lower interest rates on loans
- Better credit card offers (cashback, rewards, 0% APR)
- Easier approval for mortgages or rentals
- Lower car insurance premiums
- Higher credit limits
In short: A higher score can save you thousands of dollars over your lifetime.
Where I Started—and What Held Me Back
Like many people, I didn’t learn about credit in school. I got my first credit card in college, used it for books and food, and sometimes paid the minimum. I thought that was fine.
What I didn’t realize was that I:
- Maxed out my card frequently
- Missed payments occasionally
- Had no other forms of credit
- Let an old medical bill go to collections
My credit file was thin, messy, and reactive.
The turning point came when I got denied for a car loan. That’s when I decided to get serious about credit.
Step 1: Understand What Makes Up Your Score
To fix your credit, you first need to understand what drives it. The FICO score—the most commonly used credit score—is based on five factors:
| Factor | Weight |
|---|---|
| Payment History | 35% |
| Credit Utilization | 30% |
| Length of Credit History | 15% |
| New Credit (Hard Inquiries) | 10% |
| Credit Mix | 10% |
I realized I was hurting in almost every category. Here’s how I turned that around.
Step 2: Fix Past Mistakes (Start With What’s Hurting You Most)
🧾 I Got a Copy of My Credit Reports
I pulled my credit reports from AnnualCreditReport.com (free from all 3 bureaus: Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian).
There were:
- Two late payments
- One collections account
- Several hard inquiries
🛠️ I Disputed an Old Collection
The medical bill that went to collections had actually been paid by insurance—but the provider never updated it. I disputed it with the credit bureaus and had it removed.
That alone boosted my score by nearly 40 points.
Step 3: Make Every Payment Count
🔄 I Set Up Auto-Pay
Payment history makes up 35% of your score. Even one missed payment can tank your score for months.
So I:
- Set all bills to auto-pay (at least the minimum)
- Used calendar reminders for due dates
- Paid twice a month when possible to keep balances low
Even if you’re only paying the minimum, never miss a payment. It’s the #1 rule.
Step 4: Tame My Credit Utilization
Credit utilization = how much of your available credit you’re using.
For example:
- If you have a $1,000 limit and owe $700, your utilization is 70%. That’s bad.
- Keep it under 30%—ideally under 10%—for the best results.
💳 What I Did:
- Paid my credit cards before the statement date, not the due date
- Paid down balances aggressively with the debt snowball method
- Asked for credit limit increases (without hard pulls)
In 8 months, I went from 75% utilization to under 10%.
Step 5: Build Positive Credit Lines
I didn’t just repair—I rebuilt. Here’s how I added more good history.
🧰 Tools I Used:
- Secured credit card: Easy approval, small limit, reports to all 3 bureaus
- Credit builder loan (via Self or my credit union): Reports monthly payments
- Authorized user status: I asked a family member to add me to their 10-year-old card with low usage. This gave me a boost in history and utilization.
These added positive data to my credit file—even with limited spending.
Step 6: Avoid New Credit Temptations
Every time you apply for credit, you get a hard inquiry. Too many = red flag.
So I:
- Only applied when I truly needed it
- Bundled applications together when shopping for loans (inquiries within 14 days count as one)
- Let new accounts age before opening more
Letting accounts mature helped raise my credit age, a factor that improves with time.
Step 7: Monitor Progress and Protect It
I used free tools like:
- Credit Karma
- Experian Boost
- My credit card’s built-in score monitor
I checked my score once a month—not every day—to track the trend, not every tiny movement.
🔒 I Also:
- Froze my credit with the 3 bureaus to prevent fraud
- Enabled 2-factor authentication on all accounts
- Watched for unusual activity on my report
Good credit is fragile. Protect it like your wallet.
My Score Timeline
Here’s a rough timeline of my journey:
| Time Frame | Credit Score | What Changed |
|---|---|---|
| Month 1 | 624 | Disputed collections, set up auto-pay |
| Month 3 | 662 | Paid down credit cards, added secured card |
| Month 6 | 689 | Authorized user added, builder loan opened |
| Month 12 | 715 | Utilization below 10%, no missed payments |
| Month 18 | 751 | Older accounts aging, multiple lines in good standing |
| Month 22 | 763 | Just maintenance—on autopilot now |
How You Can Get There Even Faster
Here’s how to speed up your path to 750+:
✅ Focus on Payment History First
Set up auto-pay now. One missed payment can cost you 100+ points.
✅ Attack Credit Card Debt Aggressively
Bring your utilization under 10%. This alone can jump your score 50+ points.
✅ Add Positive Accounts
Use secured cards, credit builder loans, or become an authorized user.
✅ Don’t Apply for Too Much Credit
Space out applications and let new accounts age.
✅ Dispute Inaccuracies
One wrong account or outdated collection can drag your score. Check your report regularly.
Final Thoughts: Credit Is a Game You Can Win
Improving your credit score isn’t about tricks or gimmicks. It’s about:
- Discipline
- Strategy
- Time
But it doesn’t have to take forever. With a clear plan, you can see results in months—not years.
Start where you are, fix what’s broken, build what’s missing, and protect what you’ve earned.
Because trust me—there’s no better feeling than getting approved, saving money, and knowing you built your financial reputation one smart decision at a time.
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