A good credit score is vital to showing financial responsibility. Lenders, insurers and even potential employers may obtain credit reports to decide whether you’re a valid candidate for a loan, an insurance policy or a job. If you lack good credit, or any credit at all, you can’t change your credit score over night, but there are six ways to gradually improve it over time.

Missing a payment on your credit accounts may not seem like a big deal, but it could severely damage your financial life. If you regularly make on-time payments, your credit score could improve over time. But if you miss a payment (or two or three), this behavior will reflect negatively on your credit history and credit score.

Your credit report is established the moment you open a credit account, such as a loan or credit card. If you’ve never borrowed money due to choice or circumstance, a visit to annualcreditreport.com to receive a free copy of your credit report may reveal that you don’t have a credit history.