Improve your creditExperian | Improve Your Credit: "Your credit report shows how well you managed your financial responsibilities during a certain period of time. Negative information drops off over time, but the positive information remains. To create a positive credit history:
Print clearly when applying for credit.
Consistently use your complete name. Providing complete, accurate and consistent identification on your credit applications helps set up your credit history correctly from the beginning. It also minimizes the chance that your credit file will be incomplete or mixed with another consumer's file.
Pay your bills on time. Most lenders look at the most recent information on a report. So if you've paid your accounts on time for the last two to three years, the lender may weigh that more heavily than a series of late payments from five years ago.
Set up a budget, and live within it. In the age of self-help and empowerment, managing your finances should top your list.
Review your credit report 60 to 90 days before making a major purchase (such as a home or car). "