On a scale of 1 to 10, how would your rate your credit? How about a scale of 350-850? If you aren't too sure, you might want to check into it. There are plenty of sites online where you can get a "free" copy of your credit report and credit score.

Did you know that scores below 640 are considered poor credit? If you are currently in this category, here's a few tips that may help. If you have pulled yourself up from below 640, see if these tips are familiar. If not, they may actually help push your scores up more!

First, lets talk about time. Time is one of the greatest gifts you have in rebuilding your credit... so don't waste it. By not doing something now, you only make the process longer! The longer you do the right things, the better your scores will get!

Second, if you have simply given up on your credit, get on with life! Your mistakes of the past do not have to dictate your future. Learn from the past and use the right types of credit to build your credit file.

Third, start off easy and small. Don't worry about getting the $10,000 personal credit line right off the bat. It's like deciding to buy a new BMW or Mercedes the day after your old car way repossessed! Start off with a secured loan using your savings account. There are credit unions and banks that will lend you as little as $500 provided you put $500 in their savings.

Fourth, get a revolving credit card and use it properly. Do not max it out. Simply charge a small amount each month and pay it off each month when the bill arrives. This will really give your score a kick!

Finally, take it easy and slow. Don't worry about trying to get from 520 to 780 overnight. It's safe to say your scores probably didn't drop overnight, so don't expect them to raise up that quickly either.

Good luck and happy credit building!