Why Your Credit Score Drops Even When You Pay on Time

You’ve probably heard that keeping your credit utilization below 30% is the secret to a good credit score. But what if that advice is only part of the story? Here’s something surprising: You can pay your credit card in full every month and STILL see your credit score drop. In this episode of Fine Print, Maya breaks down how credit utilization actually works, why the famous 30% rule is misunderstood, and how your credit card’s reporting date can affect your credit score. Why the 30% credit utilization rule isn’t a magic number. How paying your credit card in full can still leave you with high reported utilization. The difference between your statement closing date and payment due date. Why carrying a balance doesn’t help build credit. How individual credit cards affect your overall credit score. Simple ways to manage utilization without paying unnecessary interest. Your credit score isn’t just about how much you owe. It’s also about what gets reported and when. The financial rules we follow aren’t always the financial rules we understand. And the difference can cost you. Subscribe to Fine Print for straightforward explanations of money, credit, investing, and the financial myths nobody questions. This video is for educational purposes only and does not constitute personalized financial advice. #CreditScore #CreditUtilization #PersonalFinance #FinePrint #CreditCards