A bad credit score doesn’t have to hold you back forever, even if it feels like climbing out might be impossible. Improving your credit score isn’t about overnight miracles or magic tricks, but six months is enough time to make huge progress, as long as you know where to start. For those with scores under 600, it might feel like the system is stacked against you. The good news? It’s possible to bounce back with some smart, focused changes. Below, we’ll walk you step-by-step through specific actions to take over the next six months and show you how small moves can lead to big improvements in your credit health.

Know Your Numbers First

You can’t fix what you don’t fully understand, so step one is to check your credit score and credit report. Your credit score is like a financial GPA, and just like with school, you need to check your “grades” regularly to see where you stand.

Access your free credit reports from the three major credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion) at AnnualCreditReport.com. Reviewing your report will show which factors are dragging your score down. Common culprits include late payments, high balances, or even mistakes on your report.

Look specifically for errors, such as accounts that don’t belong to you or payments marked “late” when you know they were on time. Flagging these and disputing inaccuracies can give your score a quick, initial boost.

Pay on Time Every Single Month

One of the most important things you can do to improve your credit score is to develop a flawless payment history starting now. Your payment history makes up 35% of your credit score, so even one late payment can take a toll. Over the next six months, make it your mission to never miss a due date.

Use automatic payments for bills whenever possible so you don’t accidentally forget. If setting up auto-pay isn’t an option, create calendar reminders or set alarms a few days before each due date as a backup. For tight months, pay at least the minimum due to avoid being reported as late. Paying the minimum won’t necessarily reduce debt quickly, it protects your score from further damage.

Tackle Your Credit Card Balances

High credit card balances compared to your credit limit hurt your score. This is known as your credit utilization rate, and the lower yours is, the better. Ideally, keep your balances under 30% of your total credit limits. So, if your credit limit is $1,000, aim to use no more than $300 at any given time.

For someone with debt spread across multiple cards, decide on a repayment strategy that works best for you.

  • The snowball method: Pay off your smallest balances completely first while making minimum payments on other cards. The quick wins can be motivating.
  • The avalanche method: Attack the cards with the highest interest rates first to save the most money in the long run.

Whichever method you choose, consistency is key. Over six months, even small extra payments toward balances can make a noticeable dent.

Consider a Secured Credit Card

If your credit score is too low to qualify for a regular credit card, a secured credit card could help you rebuild credit. These cards require a deposit (usually equal to your credit limit), but they function like a traditional credit card. Use it to make small purchases, and always pay your balance in full each month.

When managed responsibly, secured cards report positive activity to the credit bureaus, helping to raise your score steadily. Look for cards with low fees and make sure they report to all three major credit bureaus.

Address Collection Accounts

Collection accounts on your credit report can feel intimidating, but addressing them head-on can improve your score. Contact the collection agency and ask about a “pay-for-delete” agreement. This means you negotiate paying off the debt in exchange for having it removed from your credit report.

Not all agencies will agree to this, but it’s worth trying. Even if they don’t remove the account, paying off collection accounts shows future lenders you’re working to resolve your debts, which can rebuild trust over time.

Avoid Opening Too Many New Accounts

It’s tempting to apply for new credit cards or loans to show more available credit, but doing this too often can backfire. Every time you apply for credit, a hard inquiry is added to your credit report, which can slightly lower your score. Multiple inquiries in a short period suggest you might be struggling financially, which worries lenders.

Focus instead on responsibly managing the accounts you already have. Maintaining some accounts over time builds credit history, which makes up 15% of your overall score.

Keep Old Accounts Open

Closing old accounts might seem harmless, but it can actually hurt your score. Length of credit history is factored into your credit score, so older accounts benefit you even if you’re no longer actively using them.

Keeping an unused credit card open improves your credit utilization rate because it increases your overall available credit. Just make sure there are no annual fees on these cards, or you could accidentally rack up a charge.

Limit Spending While You Rebuild

The more you charge on credit, the harder it becomes to lower your utilization rate. Over six months, commit to focusing on essentials and cutting back unnecessary expenses where possible.

Small changes, like cooking more at home, using a bike instead of a car, or pausing subscriptions you barely use, can free up extra cash to pay down debt. Every dollar you save can improve your financial situation long-term.

Monitor Your Progress

Tracking your credit score month by month keeps you motivated and helps spot areas where you could improve further. Many banks and credit unions now offer free credit-monitoring tools as part of their services. They might send you alerts when something changes in your report.

Monitoring also shows how your hard work is paying off. Watching your score rise, even by a few points a month, can boost your confidence and keep you energized to keep going.

Watch Out for Credit Repair Scams

Trying to fix bad credit can leave you vulnerable to scams promising quick credit repair. Be cautious of companies that charge upfront fees or claim they can “erase” bad credit for a price. You don’t need to pay anyone to fix your credit. You can often do everything they offer for free.

If you do need help understanding or managing your credit report, connect with non-profit credit counseling agencies. They offer reliable guidance and tools, often at low or no cost.