Q. I have about nine credit cards with balances on them. I want to improve my credit score. Should I apply for a secured credit card?

A. The last thing you need is another credit card, and a secured credit card isn't going to help you anyway. These cards are for people with bad credit, or no credit history, who want to establish a track record of good payments.

To improve your credit score, you need to pay all your bills on time and reduce your debt-to-credit level to below 50% on each of your credit cards. For instance, if you have one card with a credit limit of $3,000, you should keep your balance below $1,500, or 50% of your limit. That's what Fair Isaac Corp., the developer of the FICO score, regards as an acceptable ratio. Anything above that hurts your score.

What's the best way to pay off your cards? Our Roll-down your credit card debt! calculator will show you how to do it as quickly and efficiently as possible.

As your balances fall, you should see a big improvement in your credit score. Just make sure you always keep up with the minimum payment on all of your cards. On-time payments are the most important factor in raising your score. Our 6 smart moves to improve your credit score will give your some additional ideas on what to do.

Building your credit score takes discipline and time, but your efforts will be well rewarded when you have a good credit score and can get a mortgage or auto loan at a great rate.