If you don’t know what affects your credit score, you’re not alone. More that 60% of Americans don’t, according to a recent study by Visa.

What doesn’t matter? Your employment history, the interest rates on your debt, your assets or savings, your age or where you live.

What does? On-time payments, the amount you owe, how long you’ve had credit, new accounts and credit checks and the number and type of accounts.

You’re entitled to a free credit report once a year…go to AnnualCreditReport.com to check on your score and to fix any irregularities…it will save you a lot of money (and pain) if you stay on top of it! This is the site recommended by the Federal Trade Commission.