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Pay your bills on time

According to Fair Issac, developer of the FICO score, 35% of your credit score is made up of payment history. Your credit score can be severely hurt if you pay your bills past their due date. To avoid late fees, try using your credit card companies automated bill payment option.

Do not cancel cards with history on them

If you cancel a card that you had good history with, your credit score will suffer.  Do not cancel any of your credit cards unless absolutely necessary.   

At least pay the minimum

Paying the minimum on a credit card balance is much better than not paying anything.  If you neglect or forget to pay the minimum your credit score will suffer, you will have to pay a late fee and you will be charged a finance charge on your balance.