9 ways to build a killer credit score

Liz Pulliam Weston gives some sound advice on building an excellent, or "killer" credit score. Here's an excerpt from her article on MSN MoneyCentral:

It's much easier to start from scratch than to repair black marks later on. Here's how to push the right buttons at the credit bureaus.

Establishing a good credit history has never been as important as it is today.

It’s not just that you’ll need good credit to get decent rates when you’re ready to buy a home or a car. Your credit history can determine whether you get a good job, a decent apartment or reasonable rates on insurance. One seemingly minor misstep -- a late payment, maxing out your credit cards, applying for too much credit at once -- can haunt you for years.

If you’re just starting out, you have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to build a credit history the right way. Here’s what to do, and what to avoid.

1. Check your credit report
   
2. Establish checking and savings accounts
   
3. Understand the basics of credit scoring
   
4. Piggyback on someone else’s good credit
   
5. Apply for credit while you’re a college student
   
6. Apply for a secured credit card
   
7. Get a finance company card
   
8. Get an installment loan
   
9. Use revolving accounts lightly but regularly
   

Read the Article on MSN