So my credit score is terrible, it is into the high 500s. I owe a lot of places money like Charter, the clinic, bill me later, student loans, etc. If I start paying these bills off will my credit score go up? Or is the damage already done? Will it take a long time for my score to go up to a usable number?

i don't know if your credit will get better, but i suggest you just stop using credit.

i've never had to use credit, so it doesn't matter what my credit score is.

The score will definitely go up, but it will take years. Literally.

The thing i know for sure to raise credit is taking out loans (dont spend any of the money) and pay it back on time with what ever plan you set up, just make sure you pay off the bills, loans etc, first. Also not being late on payments for anything, filing everything to do with bank statements and receipts, just keep good track of your financial situation overall can help.

Well I don't use credit, I just cant now because I have unpaid bills and a student loan that has been deferred for 3 years in a row. I am trying to get a loan to buy a house but I need to pay off my current debts before I can even consider that.

Found this, maybe it can help, but yeah no fast quick way, atleast not secure ones, heres the link,

http://www.myfico.com/crediteducation/improveyourscore.aspx

Lol thats probably the silliest thing Ive ever heard.

Car loan? Mortage? Bank loan?

Ever be interested in any of those things? Ever want a paymemt plan on anything? All those revolve around credit. Your credit score matters, trust me.

i don't take loans, i don't need loans. car loans are stupid, you end up paying way to much in interest over a longer period of time than if you just had some patience and saved the money over time.

i see no benefit to owning a home. and i don't do payment plans. I pay for every thing all at once, or i don't buy them at all.

EDIT: trust me, my credit score hasn't mattered in my entire advlt life so far. and in fact i seem to be doing better financially than people with higher income than me.

You dont have a very long advlt life right now, and i certainly dont, is it really wise to assume so when you have who knows how many years ahead?

Paying stuff off will eventually raise your credit score, but only as the bad reports fall off in time which will take years.

Any chance of getting a low limit credit card, and using it correctly? Getting good entries on your credit report will raise it faster than just paying off the old and waiting for them to go away.

this is how I want to live my life no loans to pay back later. The years it takes to pay off loans is to long for me.

5 years of never taking a loan or using credit, not once in doing any thing have i needed to have my credit checked. I spend my money wisely and avoid the unnecessary purchases that would require credit and or wait and save up my money for the larger expenses.

i have a card, but it isn't a "credit" card, although it functions like one it is an interest free bank card.