You can gradually pay off all your outstanding debts whilst making all your payments on time and keeping your usage of credit cards minimal. These typically comprise late or overdue accounts, credit cards that are just below capacity, and other high-rate revolving debts.
In order to decide what debts to pay off initially, it is best to know what actually influences your credit score. The various categories of debts and paying habits have varying scores in most credit scoring systems, and therefore, the knowledge of what is of the highest importance can help one to increase more quickly.
How to Improve Your Credit Score: A Simple Step-by-Step Plan
It is not difficult to fix your credit. When you are behind in your payments, have high credit card balances, or collections, it is overwhelming.
Step 1: Fix Late and Past-Due Accounts
Late payments and accounts in collections hurt your credit the most because they show you have not paid on time.
What to do:
- Bring past-due accounts current as soon as possible. Even paying the minimum can stop the account from showing as “late.”
- If you have accounts in collections, contact the collector. Indeed, ensure that it is your debt and attempt to make a written payment or settlement plan.
- Settling up collections will not immediately increase your score, but it will aid your credit profile and reduce legal risks. Some newer credit scoring models ignore paid collections or medical debts, which can help your score later.
Step 2: Lower High Credit Card Balances
Once late accounts are under control, focus on credit cards that are nearly maxed out, especially those over 30% of their limit.
Why it matters:
Credit utilization is how much of your available credit you are using. For example:
- Card limit: $1,000
- Balance: $800 → Utilization = 80%
High utilization makes lenders think you rely too much on credit. Experts suggest keeping balances under 30%, or even better, under 10%.
Quick tip: Paying down one maxed-out card can give your score a faster boost than paying off a card that is already low.
Step 3: Pay Off Other High-Interest Debts
Once you have addressed your high-utilization cards, consider other high-interest debts such as store cards or lines of credit.
You can use:
- Debt avalanche: Pay the highest-interest debt first to save the most money.
- Debt snowball: Pay the smallest balance first for quick wins.
Either way, lowering balances improves your credit over time.
Step 4: Handle Collections Wisely
Collections can be tricky because credit scoring models treat them differently.
Why paying collections helps:
- Some lenders reward paid collections in their scoring.
- It improves your chance of loan approval, like for cars or homes.
- It can prevent lawsuits or wage garnishments.
Tips:
- Start with newer or larger collections, as they usually affect your score the most.
- Ask for “pay-for-delete” if allowed in your area, this is when the collector removes the account after payment. Always get this in writing.
Step 5: Manage Installment Loans
Installment loans include mortgages, car loans, student loans, and personal loans. These have fixed payments and end dates.
How they affect your credit:
- On-time payments build a strong history and support your score.
- Balances usually impact your score less than credit cards.
Step 6: Clear Small Balances
Once high-utilization cards and high-interest debts are under control, clean up smaller balances.
Why this matters:
- Many small debts can make your credit profile look messy.
- Paying them off frees your mind and simplifies your finances.
At this point, you are already improving your score by paying on time, lowering balances, and avoiding new negatives.
Simple Priority Order: Which Debts to Pay First
Here is a clear order to follow if your goal is better credit and less stress:
- Past-due accounts and recent late payments – Stop ongoing damage to your payment history.
- Maxed-out and high-utilization credit cards – Lower these below 30%, ideally under 10%.
- High-interest revolving debts and store cards – Cut interest costs and reduce utilization.
- Collections and charge-offs – Pay or settle if possible, especially newer or larger ones.
- Installment loans with high rates or short remaining terms – Pay down after higher-impact debts.
- Small leftover balances – Simplify your profile and reduce the number of accounts with debt.
This order works for most people, but adjust it based on your situation.
Conclusion
You need not pay all in one go in order to raise your credit score. Get concerned with what is important: late payments, high usage credit cards, and costly revolving debts. Next, one should start slowly with collections and installment loans without defaulting on any payments.
Through a good plan, the avalanche or snowball technique, and good credit habits, you will gradually change your score. It may not be immediate, however, consistent payments, reduced usage, and negatives will strengthen your credit profile and appeal to lenders.