 TITLE: How to Maintain a Good Credit Score CONTENT: Keep Your Credit Utilization Low\n--------------------------------\nThe next most crucial score component is credit utilization, so pay close attention to the amount of debt you carry on credit cards. Experts' rule of thumb is to limit utilization to 30% or less of your credit limit—on each credit card and across all your cards—at all times.\nThe easiest way to do this? Use credit cards sparingly, and pay off your balances by the end of each month. Even better: Make payments to your cards periodically throughout the month so your utilization never gets too high. Your ultimate goal should be to use no more than 10% of your credit limit, as those with the very highest credit scores do. END