+Payment History: 35 percent
+Amounts Owed: 30 percent
+Length of Credit History: 15 percent
+New Credit: 10 percent
+Types of Credit Used: 10 percent

Simply put, "payment history" is how reliably you pay your bills on time every month. "Amount owed" refers to how much you owe. "Length of credit history" is how long you’ve had credit accounts open. "New credit" pertains to the number of new accounts you’ve opened recently, as well as the number of credit inquiries (credit pulls) made in the recent past. And finally, "types of credit used" is the variety of credit accounts you have open (e.g. credit cards, mortgages, auto loans, student loans).

As far as your personal situation, it sounds like you’re on the right track. Pay off your credit card, but keep it open. Check in with your credit card company after you’ve paid off your balance and ask them if they can waive the fees. If you close the account, you’ll lose the credit history and the amount of credit that is available to you through that card, which will negatively impact your score.

Having an auto loan that you pay on time every month (automatically or not) will help your score. It doesn’t really matter that the payment comes directly from your checking account, other than the fact that having it automatic ensures timely payments. Cable and cell phone bills aren’t typically reported on your credit report, unless of course, you were to allow those bills to become delinquent. However, more and more, utility companies are reporting to the credit bureaus.

Hope that helps! As long as you keep paying your bills on time and only open credit accounts when you need them, you should be in good shape. Good luck!