5 Common Mistakes That Are Killing Your Credit Score (And How to Avoid Them)

You pay your bills and try to manage your money... so why is your credit score still stuck? The truth is, most people hurt their credit by doing the wrong things without even realizing it. In this post, we’ll break down the 5 most common credit mistakes and how you can avoid them.

1. Paying Late

This is the most common mistake—and the one that hurts you the most.
35% of your credit score is based on payment history.
Just one late payment over 30 days can drop your score by up to 100 points.

✅ How to avoid it:

• Set up payment reminders or automatic payments.

• If you're late, contact your lender ASAP.

2. Using More Than 30% of Your Available Credit

This is called your credit utilization, and it makes up 30% of your score.
If you have a credit card with a $1,000 limit, you should never owe more than $300 at a time.

✅ How to avoid it:

• Pay your balance before the statement date, not just before the due date.

• Request a credit limit increase if you manage your card well.

3. Closing Old Accounts

Many people think closing unused cards is smart, but it can hurt your score by lowering your average credit age and raising your utilization.

✅ How to avoid it:

• Keep your oldest credit cards open.

• Use them occasionally to avoid automatic closure.

4. Not Having a Mix of Credit

10% of your score comes from your credit mix.
If you only have credit cards and no loans, it could limit your score’s growth.

✅ How to avoid it:

• Consider a small personal loan or car loan (if manageable) to diversify your credit profile.

5. Applying for Too Many Accounts at Once

Every time you apply for new credit, a hard inquiry is made—and too many in a short period can hurt your score.

✅ How to avoid it:

• Don’t apply for multiple cards or loans at once.

• Space out applications and plan them strategically.

Conclusion

Most people don’t have bad credit because they’re irresponsible—they just make small but costly mistakes.
At Scuderia 800, we help you fix those mistakes and give you access to Club 800, where we share proven financial hacks and tools to boost your credit and your lifestyle.

📩 Want to know if you're making any of these mistakes?
Text us for a free credit review.
With Scuderia 800, your financial comeback starts today.