In the past five years, a simple three-digit number has become critical to your financial life: your credit score. It not only dictates whether you get credit: it can dictate how much you'll pay for it. What's more, it's being used by insurers, employers, and others who can determine your financial future. A bad score can cost you tens of thousands of dollars in higher interest costs, bigger insurance premiums, and missed employment opportunities. Now, MSNBC/L.A. Times personal finance journalist Liz Pulliam Weston rips away the mystery surrounding credit scoring -- and tells you exactly what you need to do to build, rebuild, and maintain your good credit. You'll learn how many credit cards you should have... whether carrying a balance helps or hurts you... when you should or shouldn't close a credit account. Weston explains how to bounce back from bad credit and bankruptcy -- and tells you exactly how credit counseling, debt negotiation and other credit "solutions" can affect your score. Above all, this book offers an action plan for discovering and improving your credit score -- and reaping the benefits.