<prompt> Human: Ive read all the how to build your credit and whatnot, but Im curious if anyone has suggestions. Im mid 20s, 599 score. No credit cards or lines of credit currently open. Was stupid and had a few things charged off because I didnt agree with the charges, obviously hurt my credit, and also a parking ticket from the city that also hit my credit.Any ideas on which I should just bite the bullet and pay these off? and if that would improve anything? And or how to actually improve my credit moving forward, and fast?  <response>: Youre gonna need to put some effort into cleaning up your credit. I didnt agree with the charges is not a good excuse to leave things unresolved. Depending on how old they are, biting the bullet and paying off your collections may not improve your score. You can go get a secured credit card, make small monthly purchases and pay it off on time each month in hopes to improve your score between now and January. Additionally, you can contact the collection agencies in charge of your current outstanding debts and attempt to negotiate a pay for delete. Getting these items REMOVED from your credit report is the only way to improve your report fast.Its much easier to destroy your credit fast than it is to repair it. Moving forward, dont ignore parking tickets or outstanding charges that you dont agree with. Combine that with paying your bills on time and your credit will be great again before you know it. 