Pay your balance(s) in full

Whenever possible, pay your statement balances in full... or "PIF." Doing so prevents you from ever paying interest and is the healthiest look you can give to your lenders when they review your account or credit report. As a beginner, many believe that making on-time minimum monthly payments is all that they should do. While making at least the minimum monthly payment will prevent the account from being reported late, it is a terrible financial move as the majority of the time it results in paying interest. There are exceptions such as 0% promotional periods where one can carry a balance from month to month and not have to pay interest, which is completely understandable. If you would be paying interest however, you want to PIF monthly. Paying just the minimum payment isn't a good look, nor is paying twice the minimum payment, $100 more than the minimum payment or whatever other techniques people recommend unless the amount paid is at least your statement balance. I've also come across individuals that wrongly believe that they're supposed to pay off their credit card balances slowly, citing that they've heard that it either helps their Fico scores to do so, or helps them "build credit." I'm not sure where this came from, but it's a massive myth; please don't follow that advice! In conclusion, setting the goal early on in your credit journey of always PIF your monthly statement balances is the way to go.