credit score

Influences:

  • payment record (pay on time)
  • credit utilization (spending as little of limit as possible)
  • credit history (longstanding accounts)
  • type of credit (mortgage, credit cards, etc.)
  • new cards
    • hard inquiry - opening a new credit card - hurts credit score
    • soft inquiry - checking your credit score - no effect

things that don’t affect it

  • income
  • employment