It’s well known that carrying too much credit card debt or missing credit card payments will hurt one’s credit score. Few people, however, are aware that credit cards also can be a great way to begin to build a credit history.

Credit scores have always been important, but today, more than ever, your credit scores rule your financial destiny. With tightened lending practices and stricter underwriting rules, paying attention to your credit score is no longer simply a choice, it’s a necessity.