Your financial future is totally dependent on your credit score, and of course, your credit history. Without good credit, you will struggle to get a new credit card, take out a loan, get a mortgage, and more. There are many ways that you can lower your credit score, but a few specifically that are sure to negatively impact your score from a longer-term perspective. Here are a few items that you should try and stay away from to avoid that from occurring:

• Missed payments. There may be a few times where you have to contact your credit card, or another billing company, to let them know that you might be a day or two late. Many companies might have a little bit of flexibility if this is a one-time occurrence. However, if you make it a habit, or if you have a significantly late payment, or payments, there will be consequences. The longer you wait to pay, the more likely it will be reported to credit bureaus, which can stay on your report for years.
• Filing for bankruptcy. Of course, this is something everyone wants to avoid, but it can happen and is quite common. Filing for bankruptcy significantly hurts your credit score, and it can take years to build yourself back up. With bankruptcy, it totally depends on what Chapter you file in terms of how long it will stick around on your credit.
• Getting collections involved. If you have debt that is so past due and unattended to that it is sent to collections, it is impossible to avoid getting your credit score hurt. It will be noted that you have not been faithful in paying on time, or really at all, and can take up to 7 years for this to come off of your credit reports.