You are probably as bad a gardener as the master of lousy gardeners who also has “bad” grass..me! Ask your neighbor with the award winning lawn, they will be tickled pink you asked. (there is one on every street in the world)
At the end of the year, before the winter really kicks in, cover your grass with compost or even dead leaves from trees. Raking isn’t always helpful ;). It’ll help provide an extra cover and give nutrients to the grass while it is dormant.