When you keep your credit reports accurate, that's good for your credit score. You already know how to check your credit score for accuracy, but there are other steps to ensure your overall credit ratings improve.

Pay on time. Get a calendar so when bills come in, you can mark payment days five to seven days and send them ahead of due dates so the U.S. Postal Service gets your payment in on time. Second, check out the electronic bill payment service at your bank — and program in payment reminders so you never forget to push that button.

Keep all account balances low or paid off. If you've missed payments on any account, get them current. Again, placing the due date of each incoming bill on a calendar and timing payments so they'll arrive on time is important.

Get rid of balances in sequence: Take higher-interest debt down first, and don't shift balances too often.

Limit your credit inquiries. While you're trying to fix your credit, don't go applying for every low offer you see. Investigate credit during a short period of time once a year; a single two-week period is a good idea.

Cut up the card, but don't close the account. Closing accounts, even those that have had zero balances for years, can work against you. Lenders like to see a long record of credit management and restraint.

Track your spending. Make it this year that you'll finally put your finances on a computerized program. You'll be able to download your banking and investment accounts and any remaining credit accounts and record all your cash expenditures down to the last pack of gum.

Go debit. Banks increasingly offer debit cards that double as ATM cards and carry a credit card brand that allow them to be used in many business establishments. The key is to put a spending limit on the debit card equal to the cash you have in the account linked to it. Responsible use of today's debit cards can wean you off of credit cards entirely.