Happy Sunday,

Angelo here! Welcome to New Money, where we go over weekly tips to help you build your wealth, one dollar at a time.

Today’s edition:

• The 5 credit factors 91% of people get wrong

• How to boost your score before your next statement closes

• Bitcoin dips, Boeing flies, and more

Read time: 2 min 10 seconds

💰 Wealth Tip of the Week

Ever feel like no matter how carefully you use your credit card, your credit score still moves in ways you don’t understand?

I’ve been there too.

For years, I  thought the formula was simple:  pay on time, pay in full, and never carry a balance.

And yet… one random morning, my credit score dropped 30 points overnight.

Only 9% of Americans can correctly identify all five factors that determine their credit score. 

Most of us just weren't taught how it really works.

But I finally learned an important lesson: a good credit score is about understanding which moves actually matter.

So here’s the simple framework that helped me improve my credit score faster.

1. Understand What Controls Your Score

Most people think a good credit score is just paying on time.

But the FICO system has more to it than that.

It uses five factors:

• 35% — Payment history

• 30% — Credit utilization

• 15% — Length of credit history

• 10% — New credit

• 10% — Credit mix

This means two things control almost two-thirds of your score:

1. Paying on time

2. Keeping your credit usage low

Most people focus on the due date and ignore everything else which is how good people end up with bad scores despite doing “everything right.”

Awareness is the first fix. Once you know the rules, you finally know what to prioritize.

2. Pay On The Right Date

Credit scores feel mysterious for a reason.

Most of the system runs on rules you’re never told.

One of the biggest ones? Your credit card doesn’t report your balance on your due date.

It reports it on your closing date — typically 20–24 days before the due date.

For example, If you have a $10,000 limit and spend $5,000 during the month, that 50% utilization gets reported on the closing date  even if you pay it off later.

To the credit bureau, you look like you’re using half your available credit and your score drops.

Here’s how to fix it:

• Pay down your balance before the statement closing date.

• Pay the rest by the due date.

This strategy can help improve your score to 20–30 points, especially before applying for a loan or mortgage.

3. Increase Your Credit Limit

Here’s a credit trick wealthy people use that costs nothing: raise your limit but keep your spending the same.

When your available credit increases, your utilization automatically drops even if your spending doesn’t change.

Spend $3,000 monthly:

• $10,000 limit → 30% utilization

• $30,000 limit → 10% utilization (excellent)

But make sure your money moves before you even get the chance to spend it.

The easiest way to get there:

Call your credit card companies and ask for a limit increase.  It’s free and the only worst case scenario is when they say no.

It’s one of the fastest ways to improve your score without changing your lifestyle.

4. Protect Your Oldest Card

Credit age makes up 15% of your score and your oldest card carries the most weight.

Close it, and your average age drops. When your average age drops, your score drops. 

Keep it alive with zero stress:

1. Put one small recurring subscription on it (Spotify, iCloud, anything under $15).

2. Turn on autopay.

3. Let it age for years.

It stays active, keeps aging, and strengthens your score without any effort.

A strong credit score isn’t built on perfection. It’s built on small, smart habits that work quietly in the background.

I’m excited to see how fast your credit score can rise from here.

📉 Market Recap

Check out some of the biggest stories shaking up money, markets, and momentum this week.

• Bitcoin keeps dropping as buyers stay on the sidelines

• U.S. private payrolls fall as companies slow hiring

• Stocks rise slightly as traders expect a Fed rate cut soon

• Boeing and Intel jump while Sandisk falls on a busy day for big movers

👀 In Case You Missed It

If you’ve felt stuck financially, this video shows why even $20K can completely shift your life.

See y’all next week 🫡

- Angelo Castillo

Disclaimer: This is not financial advice or investment recommendations. The content is for informational purposes only, and it should not be considered as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.

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