14 ways you can help or hurt your credit score

Think twice before opening new account.  (Flickr photo by Alan Cleaver)

You’re in a department store, and the sales _____ (clerk, assistant, team member, associate — your choice) offers you an extra 20 percent off if you open a charge account at the establishment.

Good deal, you think, especially if the purchase adds up.

Maybe, but only if you don’t place a high value on having a high credit score.

It turns out,