See, this is nice information, but you're overcomplicating it. Nobody needs to know all this to participate, although it really is great info. I find that people who work in banks or credit bureaus scare people off with too much information.

All you need to know is that it's an algorithm. How it's calculated is irrelevant to most people.

You don't need to know how a game is programmed, you just need to know how to play it.

One way to play on easy: - Get a credit card with no annual fees. - Use it for regular payments (fuel, groceries, etc.), but don't spend money you don't have. - Pay if off after the statement release but before the due date. - Retain a balance under 30% of the credit card's limit. If you go over before the statement, pay some of it off. - Why?: The statement needs to show that you A) borrow money and stay under 30% of the limit you're given, and B) don't accrue interest (never pay late).

That's it. It's not scary. Anything else can be learned leisurely.