what are some of the most effective ways of building credit? i have heard things from getting small loans and paying them off and get another one, to getting a credit card and keeping the balance low to paying the negative things off of your credit report. my credit was low 400's a few years ago and now it's mid 500's but it seems to be stagnant. i've heard stuff on your credit is supposed to roll off after 7 years, but i have a repo that is going on 9 years and still there...along with a lot of other medical bills from 06-07. i think those are the main things bringing my credit down and the amount owed is way too much to think about paying off right now. any tips?