what is the most important factor in my credit score 
your payment history is the single most important factor in your credit score paying on time every month will have the biggest impact on your credit history missing payments can lower your score quickly and significantly the bottom linebad credit can be a major roadblock especially if you hope to borrow money to purchase a home or a car but it doesn t have to be permanent if you have bad credit paying your debts on time and paying down high balances can improve your credit score and make you more attractive to lenders if you feel like you re drowning in debt a nonprofit credit counselor may be able to help 