To borrow as cheaply as possible, it helps to nudge your score from good to fabulous. Hoisting your number from 650 to 770 can save $3,100 a year on a 30-year, $300,000 mortgage.

Here's how your score is sliced and diced - and how to kick it up a notch. Remember: The bigger the slice, the more it affects your score.

• 35% Your payment history Pay your bills on time . Automating payments online can help.

• 30% How much you owe Keep balances on credit cards and other revolving accounts below 50% of your credit limit (lower is better).

• 15% Length of your credit history Rather than let old cards go dormant, charge a latte a month (then pay it off). No activity lowers your score

• 10% Your new credit Don't open unnecessary new accounts. And if you're rate shopping for a mortgage or an auto loan, do it within two weeks ; multiple requests could ding your score.

• 10% Your mix of loans You can't do much to change this (except get a credit card if you don't have one ).

The above information was provided by Kristian Harris of Monster Mortgage at 416.818.1645 or kristian@monstermortgage.ca

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