New Delhi, Feb. 4 -- Your credit score, in the contemporary financial world, is more than just a number but is the defining factor of how your financial life will be in the future. While a high credit score often translates to loan conditions that may be better or even interest rates that are cheaper, a poor score may have one facing expensive and challenging loans. You can make your financial goals a reality with awareness about the factors affecting a credit score and good methods in its increase.

With your history of finances, a credit score is a three-digit figure that shows your creditworthiness. The rating, therefore, is in a lower figure if it is high. Thus, most ratings fall between 300 and 900. For example, banks and other finan...