As we approach National Credit Education Month in March, it’s a great time to review good credit-building habits, and if thinking about your credit score makes you feel overwhelmed, you’re not alone. Credit can feel like a mystery—especially if you’re starting from zero or trying to bounce back from a rough patch. The good news is that credit isn’t a personality trait. It’s a track record, and you can rebuild it with steady, realistic steps—no perfection required. 

First, a quick mindset shift: credit improves fastest when you focus on a few simple habits, done consistently. You don’t need ten accounts, a complicated spreadsheet, or a big income jump. You need a plan that fits your life.

If you have no credit history, your goal is to create a positive record. A common starting point is a credit card. When you use it and pay it on time, your payments can help establish credit. If you’re nervous about overspending, keep it simple: put one small recurring bill on the card (like a streaming service), then set up automatic payments to pay it off.

If you have damaged credit, your first goal is to stop the bleed. Late payments, high balances, or accounts in collections can keep your score stuck. The fastest short-term wins usually come from two actions: getting payments back on track and lowering how much of your available credit you’re using.

Here are short-term moves that can make a real difference in the next 30–90 days. Pay every bill on time moving forward—payment history is one of the biggest factors in your credit score. If remembering due dates is the issue, set up autopay for at least the minimum, or set calendar reminders a week before each due date. Next, aim to lower credit card balances if you can. Even modest progress helps. A practical rule of thumb is to keep your card balances low relative to your limit (and if you can’t pay in full yet, focus on getting the balance down steadily, not all at once). If you have past-due accounts, contact the lender or collection agency and ask about options—sometimes there are payment plans, hardship programs, or settlement possibilities. A national non-profit GreenPath Financial Solutions, offers free, confidential, and no-pressure financial counseling sessions to anyone looking for help with debt management, budgeting, or housing.

It’s also important to check your credit reports for accuracy. Mistakes happen, and disputing an error can help if something is truly incorrect. You can request your credit reports and review them online at AnnualCreditReport.com: look for accounts you don’t recognize, incorrect balances, duplicate collections, or late payments that don’t match your records.

Now for long-term strategies—the habits that quietly build strong credit over time. Keep accounts open and in good standing, because the length of your credit history matters. Avoid opening several new accounts at once, since multiple inquiries and new credit lines can temporarily lower your score. If you do open a new account, use it lightly and responsibly. Build a routine you can repeat: small charges, predictable payments, and low balances.

If traditional credit cards feel like a bad fit, you may have other options. Some people build credit through a personal loan, where payments are designed to help establish a positive history. Community banks often offer these types of tools, along with coaching and local support. Andover Bank serves communities in Pennsylvania and Ohio, and like many community banks, can help customers talk through realistic next steps—especially if you’re not sure where to start.

A few extra tips that are easy to overlook: don’t close old credit cards unless you have a good reason (closing an account can reduce your available credit and shorten your history). If you’re rebuilding, try not to max out cards, even temporarily. And if you’re sharing accounts with someone else, remember that their habits can affect you too.

Most importantly, give yourself grace and the permission to take this journey one step at a time. Credit improves through consistency, not intensity. If you can pay on time, keep balances manageable, and choose products that support your goals, you’re already doing the work—and your score will eventually catch up.