It can be done -- try some of these suggestions to improve your score:

+ Know how your FICO score is calculated.  FICO (stands for Fair Isaac Corporation), the Minneapolis-based company that created the credit score model, considers five elements when calculating a score:
    1.  Payment history
    2.  Amount owed
    3.  New credit
    4.  Amount of available credit
    5.  Types of credit used

Check your score on a regular basis to see how you stack up in each of these categories.

+ Check your credit report.  Everyone is entitled to a free annual credit report from each of the three main credit bureaus.  Request them online from annualcreditreport.com, and report any errors directly to the report provider.

+ Keep balances low.  Charge less and avoid maxing out your available credit.

+ Pay on time.  Making timely payments is the Number 1 way to improve a credit score.  Payment history accounts for 35% of the FICO score.

You may not be aiming for an 850 score, but following these guidelines can certainly give your current score a nice boost!