A fintech founder breaks down a simple, phase-by-phase plan anyone can follow.
For millions of Americans, improving their credit score sits permanently on the to-do list.
It’s important enough to think about, but complicated enough to keep putting off. Cynthia Chen, founder and CEO of credit-building fintech Kikoff, says the solution is simpler than most people think.
“I know credit can feel confusing, but don’t let that stop you from making the first step,” Chen said. “Getting informed is the best first step, and once you know where you stand, you can create a simple plan to improve, one small step at a time.”
Chen’s recommended starting point costs nothing and won’t touch your score: pull your free credit report at AnnualCreditReport.com.
From there, she outlines a 30/60/90-day roadmap that breaks the process into phases, making it easier to prioritize what matters most without burning out before you see results.
Month 1: Get Your House in Order
The first 30 days are about stabilization. It’s about finding out exactly where you stand and plugging any leaks before they get worse.
That means pulling reports from all three major credit bureaus and scanning for errors, unfamiliar accounts, or outdated negative marks. If anything looks off, start the dispute process immediately.
Even a single erroneous late payment can drag a score down significantly.
Next: automate your payments.
Setting up autopay, even for just the minimum due, eliminates one of the most common and costly credit mistakes.
A missed payment can stay on your report for years.
While you’re at it, Chen recommends auditing your subscriptions and recurring bills, canceling what you no longer use, and making sure every active account is current.
None of this is flashy. But it’s the foundation on which everything else is built.
Month 2: Start Playing Offense
Once the basics are locked in, month two is about actively improving your numbers.
The biggest lever to pull?
Credit utilization is the percentage of your available credit you’re currently using.
It’s one of the most heavily weighted factors in your score, and Chen recommends keeping balances below 30% of your credit limit, lower if you can manage it.
There’s also a lesser-known hack worth considering: requesting an increase in your credit limit.
If you’ve been consistently paying on time, many issuers will grant a higher limit, which automatically reduces your utilization ratio, as long as your spending doesn’t increase to match it.
It takes a phone call or a few clicks, and the payoff can show up in your score relatively quickly.
Month 3: Lock In the Habit
The third phase isn’t about doing more. It’s about making sure the progress you’ve made sticks.
For anyone building or rebuilding credit from a thin file, Chen points to tools like secured cards, credit-builder accounts, and rent reporting services as ways to add consistent, positive payment history to a profile that may not yet have much to show.
She also flags a move many people overlook: keeping old accounts open.
The length of your credit history matters to your score, and closing an older account, especially one with no annual fee, can shorten that history and work against you.
In most cases, the best thing to do is simply leave it alone.
The Mistakes That Derail Most People
Ask Chen what holds people back, and she doesn’t hesitate: unrealistic expectations and the shortcuts that come with them.
“Scores respond to consistent behavior, not one-time actions,” she said.
Opening a new account, paying off one balance, or disputing a single item won’t move the needle overnight, and chasing those quick wins can distract from the fundamentals that actually drive results.
Payment history and credit utilization are the two biggest factors in most credit scores.
Missing payments or carrying high balances can erase months of progress in a hurry.
The fix, Chen says, isn’t complicated: “Focus on simple, repeatable habits like paying on time, keeping balances low, and monitoring your credit.”
A Smart Use for Your Tax Refund
If you’re sitting on a tax refund, Chen sees it as a credit opportunity worth seizing.
Putting part of it toward high credit card balances can deliver a relatively fast bump by bringing down utilization.
It’s also a chance to catch up on any past-due accounts and stop the bleeding on negative marks. And setting aside even a small cushion, like enough to cover upcoming credit card or loan payments, can reduce the risk of falling behind again.
Who This Is For
Chen says the 90-day framework is especially well-suited for three groups: people who are new to credit and haven’t had a chance to build a file yet, anyone recovering from a period of missed payments, and people with a specific near-term goal (like a mortgage application, a car loan, or a new apartment) where their score will matter.
The common thread?
All three groups benefit from structure.
“Breaking it into phases can make the process feel more manageable,” Chen said, “and helps prioritize what matters most first.”
Cynthia Chen is the founder and CEO of Kikoff, a financial technology company focused on helping individuals build credit and achieve financial health.
