Most people under 25 have no idea how credit actually works. Schools don't teach it. Parents barely talk about it. So you end up making the same mistakes everyone else does.

Here are the 5 biggest ones I see:

1. Only having one line of credit

You need at least 3 accounts reporting to build a real score. One secured card isn't enough. Mix it up — credit card, credit builder loan, authorized user account.

2. Using more than 30% of your limit

If your limit is $500 and you're spending $400, your utilization is 80%. That tanks your score. Keep it under 10% if you can — under 30% at minimum.

3. Applying for everything at once

Every hard inquiry drops your score 5-10 points. Space out applications by at least 90 days. Stop applying for store cards you don't need.

4. Ignoring collections

That $50 medical bill you forgot about? It's sitting on your report dragging you down. Pay for delete or dispute it — don't just ignore it.

5. Not checking your report

You're entitled to free reports from all 3 bureaus. Pull them. Read them. I find errors on almost every report I review. Errors = free points once disputed.

Credit isn't complicated once someone shows you the system. That's what I do inside The Credit Lab — credit education, profile breakdowns, and personal guidance starting at $25/mo.

What's good — glad you're here.

Here's how this works:

1. Community Chat — Drop in anytime with questions. I'm active daily and so is the community. No question is too basic.

2. Credit Updates — I post breakdowns, tips, and strategies here regularly. Turn on notifications so you don't miss anything.

3. Your Notion Dashboard — You'll get access to a personalized credit tracker. Use it to monitor your score, track disputes, and follow your action plan step by step.

4. Personal Guidance — DM me directly. I'll review your credit profile and tell you exactly what moves to make.

Your credit score is just a number — and numbers can be changed. Let's get to work.

— Jay