There are no quick fixes for improving your credit score. But you can raise your score over time by demonstrating that you consistently manage your finances responsibly.

Here are ten things you can do to improve your credit score:

1. Pay your bills on time - It's the best way to improve your score, and it's never too late to start. Even if you've had serious delinquencies in the past, these will count less over time.

2. Keep credit card balances low - High outstanding debt can pull down your score.

3. Check your credit report for accuracy - There may be inaccurate information on your credit report that can be easily cleared up. (See How To Fix Credit Report Inaccuracies.)

4. Pay off debt rather than moving it around - Consolidating your credit card debt onto one card or spreading it over multiple cards will not improve your score in the long run. The most effective way to improve your score is by simply paying down the amount you owe.

5. Keep your credit cards - but manage them responsibly - In general, having credit cards and installment loans that you pay on time will raise your score. Someone who has no credit cards tends to have a lower score than someone who has managed credit cards responsibly.

6. Don't open multiple accounts too quickly, especially if you have a short credit history - This can look risky because you are taking on a lot of possible debt. New accounts will also lower the average age of your existing accounts, something that your FICO score also considers.

7. Don't open new credit card accounts you don't need - This approach could backfire and actually lower your score.

8. Don't close an account to remove it from your record - A closed account will show up on your credit report and may be still factored into the score. In fact, closing accounts can sometimes hurt your score unless you also pay down your debt at the same time.

9. Shop for a loan within a focused period of time - FICO scores distinguish between a search for a single loan and a search for many new credit lines, based in part on the length of time over which recent requests for credit occur.

10. Contact your creditors or see a legitimate credit counselor if you're having financial difficulties - This won't improve your score immediately, but the sooner you begin managing your credit well and making timely payments, the sooner your score will get better.