One simple way to improve your ratio is to redistribute your debt. If you have a big balance on one card, for example, you could transfer at least some of the debt to other cards. It’s typically better for your scores to have small balances on a number of cards than a big balance on a single card.

You also could investigate getting a personal installment loan with your local credit union or bank, and use the money to pay down your cards. Applying for the loan may ding your scores a bit, but that’s likely to be more than off¬set by the improvement to your scores from reducing the balances on your credit cards. (Credit scoring formulas are much more sensitive to the bal¬ances on revolving debt, such as credit cards, than to the balances on installment loans.)

A riskier strategy might be to take out a 401(k) loan. These loans don’t show up on your credit report, but you do face a big hazard: Ifyou lose your job, you typically have to pay the money back quickly or you’ll incur taxes and penalties on the balance. If you decide to take a 401 (k) loan, make sure you’ll be able to repay the loan quickly to minimize the risk.

Whatever you do, don’t cash out a 401(k) or withdraw money from an IRA to payoff credit card debt. A few points’ difference on your credit score is not worth the short-and long-term costs you’ll pay for a premature withdrawal.

Although moving debt around can lift your scores, the best strategy for your numbers and your finances long-term is to payoff revolving debt either out of your current income, using cash that’s sitting in a savings account, or selling stocks or other investments, so long as they aren’t in a retirement account.