Hey there! Great question, you know what, there isn’t actually a set limit to the number of credit cards a person can have.
Some folks manage just fine with one, while others juggle a handful or even more. Just remember, each time you apply for a new card, your credit report receives a “hard inquiry” which can cause your credit score to dip slightly.
Now, let’s chat about what can influence how many cards you should have:
- Handling Credit: If you’re the type who’s great with managing credit, pays all bills on time and never goes on a spending spree, then having multiple credit cards could work for you. You can enjoy a variety of rewards programs, plus it can even help your credit score by improving your overall credit utilization rate.
- Dealing with Debt: On the other hand, if you find it hard to resist the temptation to overspend, having multiple cards might lead you down a slippery slope towards more debt. So it may be best to stick with one or two cards until you feel confident you can handle more.
- Fees, Fees, Fees: Remember, many credit cards come with annual fees. If you have several cards with these fees, you might find your wallet getting thinner quicker than you’d like!
- Rewards – Oh Yeah!: One awesome thing about having different cards is you can maximize different rewards programs. Maybe one card gives you mega points for travel and another one is great for grocery shopping.
- Credit Score Check: Keep in mind, applying for several cards can impact your credit score. But if you manage your cards well, your score can recover over time.
Let’s dive deeper:
- Credit Management: Imagine you have three credit cards. You’re very responsible and always pay your balance in full on time. Card A has a limit of $5,000, Card B has a limit of $7,000, and Card C has a limit of $3,000. So, your total credit limit is $15,000. In a given month, you spend $1,500 across all cards. Your credit utilization rate, a key factor in your credit score, would be 10% ($1,500/$15,000). This is considered good, as it’s generally recommended to keep your utilization below 30%.
- Debt Handling: Let’s say you’re juggling four credit cards, each with a balance. Card 1 has a $1,000 balance with a $1,500 limit, Card 2 has a $2,500 balance with a $3,000 limit, Card 3 has a $3,500 balance with a $4,000 limit, and Card 4 has a $4,500 balance with a $5,000 limit. You’re making minimum payments, but with interest, it feels like you’re not making progress. In this situation, it might be beneficial to focus on paying down these debts before considering more credit cards.
- Fees: Consider that you have three credit cards, each with an annual fee: Card X has a $95 fee, Card Y a $150 fee, and Card Z a $250 fee. Every year, just to have these cards, you’re paying $495 in fees. If you’re not getting at least that much value in rewards or benefits, it might not be worth having all these cards.
- Rewards: Suppose you have a travel rewards card and a grocery rewards card. With the travel card, you get 3x points on all travel and dining expenses, so you use this card whenever you’re booking flights or eating out. With the grocery card, you get 2x points on all grocery store purchases, so you use this card when shopping for your household. This way, you’re maximizing your rewards on your spending.
- Credit Score: Every time you apply for a new card, the lender performs a hard inquiry, which can lower your credit score by a few points. For instance, if you apply for three cards within a short period, your credit score could drop by 15 points. However, as long as you’re managing your credit responsibly by paying on time and keeping your credit utilization low, your score should recover over time.
Data from Experian’s 2020 Consumer Credit Review shows that the average American consumer had about 4 credit cards.
The person holding the record for the most credit cards was Walter Cavanagh of the United States, known as “Mr. Plastic Fantastic”. According to Guinness World Records, he had 1,497 valid credit cards. Wow.
Avalanche
The “credit card avalanche” method is a strategy for managing and paying off your credit card debt. The name derives from the idea of tackling the “biggest” debts first, much like how an avalanche starts from the top of a mountain. It involves prioritizing your credit card debts based on their interest rates, from the highest to the lowest.
Here is how you can implement the credit card avalanche method in more detail:
- Identify and List Your Debts: Start by gathering all your credit card statements or accessing them online. Look at the interest rates on each of them. Write down all your credit card debts, listing them from the highest interest rate to the lowest. This is now the order in which you’ll tackle your debts.For example, if you have four credit cards with balances and their APRs (Annual Percentage Rates) are as follows: Card A has a 19% APR, Card B has 25% APR, Card C has 15% APR, and Card D has 22% APR. You would list them as follows: Card B, Card D, Card A, Card C.
- Maintain Minimum Payments on All Debts: Continue to make the minimum payments on all your credit cards to avoid late fees and negative impacts on your credit score. This is a crucial step while focusing on one particular debt.
- Allocate Extra Funds to the Debt with the Highest Interest Rate: Any additional money you have left after making the minimum payments should be directed towards the credit card with the highest interest rate.For instance, if the minimum payment for Card B is $50, but you can afford to pay $200 towards your debts each month, you would pay the minimum on Cards A, C, and D, and put the remaining $150 towards Card B. This step accelerates the pay-off process for the most expensive debt.
- Move On to the Next Debt: Once you’ve fully paid off the credit card with the highest interest rate (in this case, Card B), you then apply the extra payment to the card with the next highest rate (Card D in our example). You’ll continue to pay the minimum on the remaining cards.
- Repeat the Process: Continue this process, rolling over the amount you were applying to the paid-off credit card to the one with the next highest interest rate. Over time, as you pay off your higher-interest cards, the amount you’re able to put towards each subsequent card will grow, accelerating your debt pay-off plan.
What to do with multiple cards
1. Organize Your Payments: With multiple cards, it’s easy to lose track of different due dates, leading to missed payments and late fees. To prevent this, consider setting up automatic payments from your bank account. Alternatively, you could set reminders on your phone or calendar to alert you a few days before each payment is due. For example, if you have three cards with due dates on the 5th, 15th, and 25th, you could set reminders for the 1st, 11th, and 21st to give yourself time to prepare each payment.
2. Strategize Your Spending: Different credit cards often offer varying rewards. For example, one card might offer high rewards for grocery spending, while another offers more for gas or travel expenses. Keep a list or mental note of which card offers the most rewards for each category and use the corresponding card for those purchases.
3. Monitor Your Credit Utilization: This is the ratio of your current balances to your credit limits, and it’s a major factor in your credit score. If you have four credit cards each with a $5,000 limit (totaling $20,000), and you’ve charged $4,000 across all cards, your overall utilization is 20%. But if that $4,000 is all on one card, the utilization for that card is 80%, which could negatively affect your score. Try to keep the balance on each card and the overall balance across all cards below 30%.
4. Keep Cards Active: If you have a card that you don’t use often, consider using it for small, recurring charges like a Netflix subscription. This can keep the card active and prevent the issuer from closing it due to inactivity, which could impact your credit score.
5. Consolidate Balances When Appropriate: If one card has a high interest rate, consider transferring its balance to a card with a lower rate. For example, if Card A has a $3,000 balance with a 22% interest rate, and Card B offers a 0% rate on balance transfers for 12 months with a 3% transfer fee, you could save on interest by moving the balance from Card A to Card B.
6. Evaluate Annual Fees: If you’re paying a high annual fee for a card but not using the associated benefits, it might not be worth keeping. For instance, if a card charges a $100 annual fee for travel perks but you rarely travel, it might be better to close that account or switch to a no-fee card.
7. Diversify Your Credit: If all of your credit is revolving (credit cards), you might want to consider adding an installment loan (mortgage, auto, personal) to the mix. This can show lenders that you’re capable of managing different types of credit.
8. Regularly Review Your Statements: Keeping track of spending and spotting fraud is more challenging with multiple cards. Make it a habit to review your statements each month. For example, you could set a date—say, the first Saturday of every month—to go over your statements.
Improving Your Credit Score
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Synovus Travel Rewards Visa
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American Express Platinum Vs. Black Cards
FAQ
Q1: Why would anyone need multiple credit cards? Are they collecting them like Pokémon cards?
A: Ah, the allure of multiple credit cards! People have different reasons. Some like to maximize rewards, others want to separate personal and business expenses, and a few may just enjoy the thrill of a bulging wallet. Just remember, with great credit cards comes great responsibility!
Q2: How many credit cards can a person actually handle? Are we talking about a juggling act here?
A: While it’s tempting to build a fortress of credit cards, the number you can handle depends on your organizational skills, financial situation, and sanity levels. Some folks confidently manage a squadron of cards, while others struggle to keep track of a single piece of plastic. Find your comfort zone and resist the urge to challenge the world record for “Most Credit Cards in One Wallet.”
Q3: Can having multiple credit cards boost my credit score like a rocket ship?
A: Well, it’s not exactly like strapping a rocket to your credit score, but having multiple credit cards can contribute positively to your credit health. Each card adds to your overall available credit, which can lower your credit utilization ratio (the percentage of credit you’re using). Just remember to use those cards responsibly and resist the temptation to launch yourself into debt orbit.
Q4: Is it hard to keep track of multiple credit cards? Do I need a team of assistants?
A: Keeping track of multiple credit cards can be a challenge, but fear not, you don’t need a team of assistants (unless you’re a secret agent, in which case, carry on). Embrace the power of technology! Many mobile apps and online platforms offer features to manage multiple cards, track spending, set reminders, and even provide virtual high-fives for responsible usage.
Q5: Can I have different cards for different purposes? Like a secret identity for each card?
A: Absolutely! Having different cards for different purposes can be quite handy. You can designate one card for travel expenses, another for everyday purchases, and maybe even one for emergency situations—just like having a trusty sidekick for each mission. But remember, with great power comes great responsibility (and the occasional need to pay those bills).
Q6: Are there any downsides to having multiple credit cards? Will I turn into a credit card hoarder?
A: While multiple credit cards can offer flexibility and rewards, there are a few potential downsides. It can be tempting to overspend or get carried away with the rewards game. And let’s face it, managing multiple cards requires some organizational prowess. So, avoid becoming a credit card hoarder by regularly reviewing your cards, keeping track of balances, and resisting the urge to show off your collection at parties.
Q7: Can having multiple credit cards affect my chances of getting a loan? Will the loan officer think I’m running a credit card circus?
A: Having multiple credit cards itself won’t make a loan officer raise an eyebrow. However, they will consider your overall credit picture, including credit card balances and payment history. As long as you manage your credit responsibly, make payments on time, and keep your debt levels in check, you’ll be seen as a responsible credit card maestro rather than a circus performer.
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