If you’ve ever applied for a credit card, a car loan, or even an apartment, you’ve probably heard the phrase “We’ll need to check your credit.” Your credit score quietly shapes what you pay for borrowing money—and sometimes whether you’re approved at all. The good news: you don’t have to guess where you stand. You can check your credit score for free, and doing it regularly is one of the smartest money habits you can build.

If your credit score feels like a mysterious number that controls your life, you’re not alone. The good news: it isn’t magic. A few key behaviors have far more impact on your credit score than anything else—and once you know them, you can start steering your score in the right direction, even if money is tight.

If you’re working hard to clean up your finances, the last thing you want is to take on new debt just to raise your credit score. The good news: you don’t have to. Many of the most effective moves to improve your credit are about managing what you already have, not opening more accounts.

A single missed payment can feel like it ruins everything. Your score drops, collection calls may start, and suddenly it seems like every financial door is closing. The good news: credit damage from missed payments is rarely permanent. With the right steps, you can rebuild—often sooner than you think.