When it comes to boosting your credit score, you already know the basics:

• pay your bills on time

• don’t max out your cards every month

• avoid telling the credit card company “that wasn’t me” after you black out and go on an Amazon shopping spree (again)

But what if you want to go beyond the obvious? Here are five lesser-known, easy tips to give your credit score a boost without breaking a sweat.

Key links from today:
Experian Boost - raise your credit score for free
AnnualCreditReport.com - free credit report
Goodwill adjustment template - to forgive those one-off credit mistakes

5. Pay twice a month instead of once

Even if you’re paying your balance in full every month, your credit card issuer might report your balance at a high point in your billing cycle, making your credit utilization look worse.

Credit utilization is just how much of your available credit you’re using. If you have a $5,000 credit limit on your card and run a $4,000 balance, your credit utilization is lower than if you have a $10,000 credit limit and run a $5,000 balance.

The Hack: Make one payment before the statement closing date and another after. This keeps your reported balance low and your credit utilization in check.

4. Use Experian Boost

This free tool allows you to add on-time payments for utilities, phone bills, and even streaming services to your credit report. Too good to be true? Try it for yourself! (Not sponsored)

Why It Works: These payments don’t usually count toward your score, but Experian Boost adds them, giving you credit for bills you’re already paying. It’s like getting a participation award that actually means something.

3. Ask for a “Goodwill Adjustment”

It happens to the best of us. Sometimes life just gets crazy and you forget to pay your bill on time! If you’ve missed a payment in the past, it doesn’t have to haunt you forever.

How to Fix It: Contact the creditor and politely (key word) request a goodwill adjustment to remove the late payment from your credit report. Explain your situation (e.g., it was a one-time mistake, my fish was sick etc. etc.), and you might be surprised how often they say yes.

Check out a template for the letter here.

2. Become an Authorized User on someone else’s account

This one is simple but powerful. If someone with excellent credit (a parent, sibling, spouse, or sneaky-link) adds you as an authorized user on their credit card, their positive payment history can boost your score.

The Catch: Make sure the primary account holder pays their bills on time. Their mistakes could impact your score too.

Bonus: You don’t even need to use the card for this to work.

Double-bonus: you can spend their money! (don’t)

1. Check for clone accounts on your credit report

Credit reports often have errors, but one sneaky issue is clone or duplicate accounts.

Why It’s a Problem: Duplicate accounts make it look like you have more debt than you actually do.

How to Fix It: Pull your free credit report (via AnnualCreditReport.com) and look for duplicates. Dispute any you find with the credit bureau to get them removed.

(Don’t) keep it secret, (do) keep it safe

Boosting your credit score doesn’t have to mean overhauling your financial life. Good because I hate overhauling my life!

These lesser-known hacks are simple, effective, and easy to implement. Whether it’s paying at the right time, leveraging tools like Experian Boost, or clearing up errors, a little effort can make a big difference.

Start with just one of these tips, and your credit score could see a noticeable jump in just a few months. Congrats, you’re credit-worthy.