This one number could be costing you points every month.

Your credit utilization, how much of your available credit you're actually using, is one of the biggest factors in your credit score. Lenders don't just look at if you pay on time. They look at how much of your credit you're using.

Here's the rule: Keep your balances below 30% of your total credit limit. Below 10% is even better.

Maxing out your cards (even if you pay them off every month) can drop your score fast. On the flip side, paying balances down is one of the quickest ways to see your score improve.

✅ Pay down balances

✅ Avoid maxing out cards

✅ Request limit increases when appropriate

✅ Never spend more than 30% of your available credit, even if you pay it off in full

Lowering your utilization isn't just a tip. It's one of the fastest, most controllable ways to boost your score, no disputes required.

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This one number could be costing you points every month.