Dan The Mortgage Man is here to give the lowdown on credit scores, three digits that can have a big impact on your life, from getting a credit card, to taking out a loan or in some cases, getting a job.

The info doesn’t really start until 2:00. Ignore the local morning news malarkey. If you find their hijinks hard to stomach, try this two minute bit by Bob Walters of Quicken Loans.

The biggest secret to maintaining a good score is paying your bills on time. That counts for 35% of your FICO. The remainder is:

30% Amount Owed
15% Length of Credit History
10% New Credit
10% Type of Credits in Use

You can find out your FICO score at Fico.com. The Fair Issac corporation offer a 30-day trial, so make sure to cancel on time if you want to avoid the $89.95 annual cost.

Wonderful that something can affect consumers so much, that every lending company has access to, is a proprietary formula, and you gotta fork over the scrizzle to find out where you stand.

Want more consumer news? Visit our parent organization, Consumer Reports, for the latest on scams, recalls, and other consumer issues.