5 Habits Of People With 800+ Credit Scores

FTC: This post is not sponsored and I am not a financial advisor. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

If you're looking to join the 800 and over credit score club, these 5 tips/ habits of people with good credit will not only catch you up to speed, but will also help you focus your financially responsible self on the right steps you need to take. I've been sharing my financial journey for the last three years, and I have always been open about the hills and valleys my credit score has gone through. (Yes I know that sounds dramatic... bear with me).

I started off this journey at 830 and after buying a home, my credit score has been bouncing around the high 700s and low 800s for about 1.5 years. In experiencing these changes, I've realized (and thus cultivated a list for you) that the people I've talked to that have the opportunity to dabble in the 800 credit score club, all have some very important behaviors in common. 

As we explore these 5 habits that people with good credit follow/ take part in, remember that your credit journey is yours and yours alone. Though these habits are helpful, they are not the end all be all method/ route or routine to achieve financial freedom and success. Everyone's circumstance is different, and thus everyone's journey will also be different. And now... moving forward...

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5 Habits Of People With 800+ Credit Scores

We've discussed in great detail why having a good credit score is very important when simply trying to adult. There are many factors that go into your credit score, and these factors are going to play a major role in the habits needed to have a credit score about 800. Though it takes a bit of work it is not out of reach. 

1. Autopay is set up:

Paying your bills/ debts back on time is a huge factor in calculating your credit score and credit worthiness. Payment history is the largest category and weighs the heaviest when it comes to calculating your credit score. By setting up auto pay you are making it easy on yourself. If you don't have to constantly remember to pay bills/ debt and have it on autopilot then your bills and debts will be paid on time. The longer your bills are paid on time, the better it reflects on you and on your credit score. 

2. Low Credit Utilization:

This is the part that I had to learn the hard way when I was in college. To keep your credit score high, you need to keep your credit utilization low. A general rule of thumb I like to follow when it comes to credit utilization, is to use less than 10% of my available creditl. That means even if I have multiple credit cards, which I do, I keep the balance of both of them lower than 10% of the sum of my available credit limit. Let's put that in math terms : if I have two credit cards with a combined limit of 20,000, you should aim to keep your balances on both cards below $2,000. 

Most people in the 800 club will use even less than that (usually around 6-7% credit utilization) 

3. Pay Balances In Full:

This habit goes hand in hand with the previously mentioned habit. By paying off your balances in full before the end of each month, you ensure that you are keeping your credit utilization low, and are also showing responsible credit usage. If you are aiming for a credit score over 800, it will be nearly impossible to achieve with revolving credit balances from month to month. This will add interest to your balance because you aren't paying in full, and result in higher credit utilization. That means... you'll be negatively impacting your score and paying more for something that you probably didn't need to put on credit in the first place (yes that's me scolding myself for my 8th Amazon purchase this week) 

4. Choosing The Right Credit

Generally people with credit over 800+ do not venture into store cards. Those cards can often times only be used within that store, and don't offer any rewards outside of discounts or points from that store. In addition, store credit cards aren't going to usually offer you a high credit limit, and when you make purchases that's going to impact: credit utilization. See how everything is connected! Instead choose credit cards from banks that offer higher limits, and other perks/benefits like cash back or travel points. {8 Best Rewards Credit Cards Of 2020)

5. Monitor Credit Score

When I first started monitoring my credit score, I was obsessed with it. Now I've calmed down substantially, and know that monitoring does not mean freaking out over every single change, or obsessing over it constantly. It's a good idea to monitor your credit score, to make sure everything is in order. The last thing you want to do is avoid monitoring your credit score, and once you go to make a major purchase that requires a credit check, you find out surprising things you didn't even know we're on there. There are so many credit monitoring sources that are offering their services for free and will contact you of any suspicious changes. 

If you found this post helpful don't be afraid to share this with a friend, family member, or nosey neighbor. And to stay up to date with all the latest finical literacy info we're dropping don't forget to join the club. Our mailing list is on and popping and starting you off right with an 8 week money saving challenge. Join here! 

Until next time,