Sure does! Using your card regularly — and paying your bill on time — gives your lender good news to report to the credit bureaus. A strong track record of responsible credit use is one of the main determinants of your credit score. Your payment history alone counts for 35% of your overall score. You do not, however, need to carry a balance on your credit card to build your credit. Although making monthly minimum payments on time is key, even better for your bottom line is to pay off the balance in full each month so you don’t pay interest on the amount you charge. We have an entire area devoted to building and maintaining your credit, including tips on how to get out of debt.