You can raise your credit score from 500 to 750 in 12 to 18 months. You must watch your credit carefully and have a plan that is solid. My plan is to build positive credit by keeping my debt to credit ratio at 10 to 20% of all my credit lines. Making all payments on time by using electronic automatic payments from my checking account to my creditors. Finally, I am only willing to go into debt for a car, house or to buy a franchise business (7 Eleven or Mcdonalds).