Most people think “just stay under 30% usage and you’re good.”Nah. That’s bare-minimum energy, not “I want a 750+ profile” energy. Here’s the truth nobody tells you: 🔹 30% is the line between “not terrible” and “not impressive.” Banks aren’t high-fiving you for being average. 🔹 The real sweet spot is 1–7%. That’s where approvals get easier.That’s where limits start jumping.That’s where your score breathes again. 🔹 And if you’re over 50%… Your score is screaming for help.But it’s fixable, and usually faster than you think. ⭐ Today’s Action Step Drop your current utilization % in the comments.I’ll tell you: - if you’re in a good zone, - if you’re in the danger zone, - or what exact move you should make next. No judgment — we’re here to optimize, not embarrass. 📩 Need help lowering your utilization strategically? DM me SCHOOL and I’ll map out the cleanest path for your profile.

Most people think the more cards you have, the better your credit gets. But if all your cards have tiny limits — like $200, $300, or $500 — you’re actually making it harder for your score to move. Here’s why: 🧠 The “Small Limit Trap” When your limits are low, even normal spending destroys your utilization. Example: - Limit: $300 - You spend: $90 on groceries - Utilization: 30%That one grocery run already puts you in the “score drop” zone. Low limits = high utilization almost instantly. 📉 Why this slows down your progress Low-limit cards tend to: - Report higher utilization - Make it harder to stay under 10% - Signal to lenders that you’re still a “high-risk beginner” - Cause your score to bounce up and down every month The problem isn’t that you have credit cards…It’s that your limits are too small to give you any breathing room. 📈 What actually helps your score You want cards that: 1️⃣ Start at $1,000+ limits Even spending $100–$150 won’t hurt you. 2️⃣ Grow with you Cards that offer automatic credit limit increases help push your utilization DOWN over time. 3️⃣ Report clean usage High limits + low balances = predictable score growth. 🔥 Practical Example Two people spend the same $200 this month: Person A - Limit: $300 - Utilization: 66% - Score: Drops Person B - Limit: $2,000 - Utilization: 10% - Score: Goes up Same spending .Different limits. Different outcome. 🔧 Action Step for Today Look at your cards and ask: - “Are my limits holding me back?” - “Which card should I request a CLI on?” - “Should my next move be a better starter card, not another $300 limit card?” Building credit isn’t about how many cards you have —it’s about whether the cards you have are actually helping your utilization. 👥 Need help choosing the right cards or boosting limits? 👉 Book a free credit consultation:https://calendly.com/zachsodano/credit-consultation-call

Most people look at their credit profile and think,“Okay cool, my utilization is under 30%. I’m good.” Nah. That’s rookie-mindset. The bureaus actually grade three different utilization buckets, and if even one of them is off… your score takes a hit. 1️⃣ Total Utilization (your whole profile) This is the one everyone knows. Keep it under 10% if you want your score to actually move. 2️⃣ Per-Card Utilization (each card individually) A single card at 70% can drag your whole profile even if your other card is at 0%.Too many people ignore this and wonder why their score isn’t budging. 3️⃣ Your Highest-Used Card (your “problem child”) The bureaus weigh this more heavily than people realize.If one card is constantly overloaded, it signals “risk.”Even if everything else is light, that one maxed-out card is enough to tank momentum. Real-world takeaway: If you want the fastest score growth, don’t just aim for 30%.Dial in: - <10% TOTAL - <10–20% per card - Never let one card consistently carry the whole load This is why some people “pay their cards” and still don’t see progress — they’re only fixing one piece of the puzzle, not all three.

“Your score isn’t low… your reported balance is.” Most people think their credit score is low because of “bad credit,”but the truth is way simpler: Your score is based on the balance that reports… not the balance you actually have. Meaning:You could pay your card in full every monthand still have a low scorebecause the bureaus saw you at your highest balance. Here’s the play: 1. Check your card’s statement date 2. Pay your card down 3–5 days before that date 3. Let only a SMALL amount report 4. Pay the rest after it posts This one timing shift can be worth 20–60 points,and it’s one of the easiest wins for people with low scores. Simple rule: “Pay BEFORE it reports, not before it’s due.”

Your Score Isn’t Stuck — Your REPORTING Is.** Most people think their low score is because of “bad credit,”but the real issue is usually timing, not the number. Here’s the play: 🔹 Your balance gets reported on your statement date, not your due date. So even if you pay your card off on the due date…the bureaus already froze your high balance earlier. That’s why your score stays low. 🔹 The fix is simple: 1. Pay your card 3–5 days BEFORE the statement date. 2. Let a small amount report (no more than 5–10%). 3. Pay the rest after it posts. Same money.Better reporting.Cleaner data.Higher score over time. Most beginners don’t need more cards —they just need to fix their reporting cycle.