I strongly recommend Dave Ramsey's approach to credit scores. Credit scores are a measure of much much debt you can carry. If you carry a load of debt and pay it off, your score goes up so people can lend you more debt. That's the wrong question. The proper question is how can you remain out of debt and build your wealth? You don't need a credit score for that. As a 30something looking back at 10 years of debt, I totally regret it. Carrying debt is heavy on the soul and limits your options. Debt free living really is liberating.
http://www.daveramsey.com/article/the-truth-about-your-credi... http://www.daveramsey.com/new/baby-steps/