While paying off credit card balances monthly is wise, credit reports may still show a balance, affecting loan approval. Debt level is crucial, impacting 30% of a credit score. This includes total debt, account numbers with balances, and revolving utilization. Revolving utilization, the ratio of credit card balances to limits, should be low. Balances are reported monthly, not daily, to credit bureaus. Timing payments can maximize credit scores, as explained by credit expert Jason M. Kaplan.