Supercharge Your Credit Score: Top Strategies for 2025

A strong credit score (generally 670+ for FICO) can save you thousands. For example, a 2025 Bankrate study shows that a 720 score vs. a 620 score on a $300,000 mortgage could save $72,000 in interest over 30 years. With new FICO 2025 models factoring in Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) payments and rent reporting, there’s never been a better time to optimize your score. Here’s how to do it.

The Best Ways to Strengthen Your Credit Score

1. Pay On Time, Every Time

Payment history accounts for 35% of your FICO score, making it the biggest factor. A single 30-day late payment can drop your score by 60–110 points, per 2025 Experian data. In 2025, BNPL payment history is now included in some FICO models, so timely payments on Klarna or Affirm are critical.

• How to Do It: Set up autopay for at least the minimum on credit cards, loans, and BNPL plans. Use calendar reminders for bills not auto-deducted. If you miss a payment, call the creditor immediately to request a goodwill adjustment.

• Impact: Consistent on-time payments can boost your score by 20–50 points within months.

2. Keep Credit Utilization Low

Credit utilization—your balance divided by your credit limit—makes up 30% of your score. Keeping it under 30% (ideally 10%) signals responsible credit use. For example, if your limit is $10,000, keep your balance below $3,000.

• How to Do It: Pay down balances before the statement closing date, as this is what’s reported to bureaus. Request a credit limit increase (without a hard inquiry) to lower utilization. A 2024 LendingTree survey found that 80% of cardholders who asked for a limit increase got one, averaging $2,500.

• Impact: Dropping utilization from 50% to 10% can raise your score by 30–100 points.

3. Report Rent and Utility Payments

New tools like Experian Boost and Equifax’s 2025 rent-reporting programs let you add on-time rent and utility payments to your credit file. A 2025 Experian study found that 74% of users who added rent payments saw an average score increase of 29 points.

• How to Do It: Sign up for free services like Experian Boost or paid platforms like Rental Kharma ($50–$100/year). Ensure your landlord or utility provider reports payments, or use a third-party service to verify them.

• Impact: Ideal for thin credit files, boosting scores by 20–60 points.

4. Become an Authorized User

Being added as an authorized user on a trusted person’s credit card (with a strong payment history and low utilization) can piggyback their good habits onto your credit report. A 2024 NerdWallet analysis noted that 65% of authorized users saw score improvements within two months.

• How to Do It: Ask a family member or close friend with a high-limit, low-balance card to add you. Confirm the issuer (e.g., Chase, Amex) reports authorized user activity to bureaus. Avoid cards with late payments or high balances.

• Impact: Can lift scores by 30–70 points, especially for those with limited credit.

5. Diversify Your Credit Mix

Credit mix (10% of your FICO score) rewards having both revolving (credit cards) and installment (loans) accounts. A 2025 TransUnion report found that consumers with diverse credit types scored 40 points higher on average than those with only one type.

• How to Do It: If you only have credit cards, consider a small personal loan or auto loan (only if needed). Pay it down steadily to show responsible management. Avoid opening too many accounts, as this can trigger hard inquiries.

• Impact: Adds 10–40 points over time with consistent payments.

6. Dispute Errors on Your Credit Report

Errors like incorrect late payments or accounts that aren’t yours can drag down your score. A 2025 FTC study found that 20% of credit reports contain errors, with 5% impacting scores significantly.

• How to Do It: Check your free credit reports at AnnualCreditReport.com (weekly access in 2025). Dispute errors online or via certified mail with Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Include proof (e.g., payment records) to speed up corrections.

• Impact: Removing a major error can boost your score by 50–100 points.

Bonus Tips for 2025

• Limit Hard Inquiries: Each new credit application can ding your score by 5–10 points. Space out applications by six months, per FICO.

• Use Secured Cards for Bad Credit: If your score is below 600, a secured card (e.g., Discover it Secured) builds credit with low risk. A 2025 Credit Karma study showed 68% of users improved their score by 50+ points in a year.

• Monitor Your Score: Use free tools like CreditWise or Experian’s app to track progress. X posts in 2025 highlight users boosting scores 100 points in six months with consistent monitoring.

• Avoid BNPL Pitfalls: With BNPL now impacting some FICO scores, pay on time to avoid dings. A 2025 Stanford study found late BNPL payments lowered scores by 20–40 points.

The Bottom Line

Strengthening your credit score in 2025 is about smart habits and leveraging new tools like rent reporting and BNPL tracking. Pay on time, keep utilization low, report rent payments, become an authorized user, diversify credit, and dispute errors to see your score soar. Start small, monitor progress, and consult a financial advisor for tailored advice. A higher score means better rates, bigger opportunities, and a brighter financial future.