I did the free credit report thing and I paid for the whole report.All three have the same amount for me.

A way to increase your credit is by using less and paying it back every time on time. Example--don't go beyond your 25% maximum and pay that amount back every time on time. Let's say your max is 5000--don't EVER use more than 1k for that credit card and pay the 1k or less back each month on time using the same card. You'll get points for using the minimum +20 or so and then paying back monthly +25=35 etc..and you also get longer term points for keeping that account open.

I personally use a debit card. I just load a couple of thousand and just transfer money over when it drops down a bit. What it does is it provides security. If you lose your card or someone swipes the number--your downside is 2k. Same goes for a brokerage account. Use two or three accounts and just transfer over the large amounts to accounts that don't get use. It's good to have more than 1 bank and 1 brokerage. On the other hand it's NOT good to have multiple credit cards. Try to use only 1 and have a debit account as well.

If you have multiple credit cards, destroy all but one IMMEDIATELY! Keep the one that offers you more options, if there is such a thing.

If your in debt, get that thing paid off AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!

Use one card and don't go beyond a reasonable limit.

Debit cards are great, if you can keep an account. Hook up with one that has a flier miles plan on it. Cost you about $25.00 a year, but you'll be building free miles towards free flights. At least your getting something back for your money.

But this is really about credit scores.

You have to destroy the cards but not the account,because it basically removes all credit history you had with that card.

My scores are great cuz I have not debt other than a mortgage. That is a 15 year and I pay it twice a month.

I use a credit card that gets paid automatically every month. I also have it changed every 6 mos to prevent theft.

I am closing on the sale of one of my properties I owned for 12 years and because I refinanced twice in that time I also had lines of credit on that property that was never used, but never closed out. So while the line was not active, it still was open and I could have used three lines at one time. Thats why banks are so screwed right now. Kinda of freaked me out to have two extra liens when we did the title search prior to closing. I got them closed but you have to request them.

I also looked back and found we had credit cards at stores (like when bloomingdales gives you an addional 10% off when you open a card with them) that we had not used in years. I am working on cleaning them up.

Getting the scores cleaned up will matter going forward. Its about time those with good credit get better rates and stop carrying the load for sub prime.