Carrying small balance to increase FICO score question

[Anonymous]

I have heard here that it is good to let your credit card report a miniscule balance each month - that it has a positive effect on your score. It appears that not everyone agrees with this.

But for those of you that do - do you have to have that little balance at the time that the statement is cut, or is just using your card enough to have it reported that it is being used? (in other words if you pay the card online before the statement is cut do you lose the effect?)

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

It is good to let A credit card report a small balance (pay after the statement cuts). It is not good to have all of your cards report a small balance. On the rest of your cards it is good to pay the balance before the statement cuts.