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How Many Credit Cards Should I Have - Coast Tradelines

Dec 19

How Much Credit Cards Should I Have? The Intersection of Credit Cards and Tradelines Explained

 

One of the questions that stumps people in the realm of personal finance is "How numerous credit cards should I own?" This question becomes much more relevant when you are thinking about adding tradelines to your credit report. Let's clarify this issue and provide you with the knowledge and a plan to make informed financial decisions.

The Conundrum of Credit Card Numbers: Why It Matters

The number of cards you hold is not only an issue of personal comfort. It also affects the credit score. While you're aware that a credit card can improve your credit score, you're likely confused about the number you need to have.

The Pros and Cons of Owning Multiple Credit Cards

Before we dive into how many credit cards you should own we'll first examine the benefits and downsides of owning multiple credit cards.

Advantages of Owning Multiple Credit Cards

  • If you've got multiple credit cards your credit limit could be higher. A credit limit of high amount is ideal for emergencies or large purchases.
  • Utilize credit cards with rewards and cashback offers to save you money when you purchase things daily.
  • Your credit utilization ratio will increase. Your credit utilization ratio is a reference to the percentage of your credit available that you are currently using. Using many credit cards can boost your credit score by dividing your balances.

Disadvantages of Owning Multiple Credit Cards

  • Multiple credit cards could make it more likely to overspend and go into debt.
  • It's not difficult to make unexpected purchases that you aren't able to afford when there are a lot of credit card accounts.
  • It can be difficult to manage multiple credit card accounts. It will require an amount of time and effort. This is especially true if payment dates are different.
  • More cards can result in the utilization of credit to be high. A high CUR can impact your credit score.
  • Different cards provide different perks. With too few cards, you risk you aren't getting the full advantages.
  • On the other hand having too many accounts can make tracking payment due dates challenging. It can result to charges for late payments as well as a damaged credit score.

Key Points to Consider When Applying for Credit Cards

  1. Differential Benefits: Find cards that offer various perks, such as travel rewards, cashback or low-interest rates.
  2. Annual Fees: Check to ensure that the card's benefits are greater than any annual charges.
  3. Interest Rates A lower APR is vital unless that you'll be able to pay off the balance every month.
  4. Credit Limit: A higher credit limit can help improve your credit utilization ratio, if you don't overdraw it.

Average Number Credit Cards Should I Have

After having looked at the pros and cons of having multiple credit cards, let's consider how many credit cards you ought to have. How many credit cards is too much? And how many are enough?

Financial experts recommend having 3 to 5 credit cards to have a well-rounded credit history. This gives you many benefits and can also help with the credit utilization ratio.

Factors to Consider When Deciding The Number Credit Cards to Own

Many factors should be considered when deciding how many credit cards to hold. These factors include:

  • The credit score and the history: Your credit scores and histories will affect the number of credit cards to have. You may only qualify for one or two credit card if you have an unsatisfactory credit score or a limited credit history.
  • The amount of your income and expenses can be vital. If you earn a high income and lower expenses, you will be able to manage more credit cards than someone with a lower income and higher expenses.
  • Priorities and goals for your financial life: Priorities and financial goals also affect how many credit cards you can own. If you are looking to improve your credit rating or earn rewards, consider owning a number of credit cards.

Recommended Number of Credit Cards Based on Different Scenarios

Here are some recommended numbers of credit cards, based upon various scenarios:

  • For those who have no credit history If your credit score is not great, you might qualify for one or two credit cards.
  • For those with average credit scores: If your credit score is average you may have two to three credit cards.
  • for those with high credit scores: If you have excellent credit you can have four or more credit cards.

How Owning Multiple Credit Cards Affects Your Credit Score

Now that we've discussed how many credit cards should you have let's examine how applying multiple credit cards can affect your credit score.

Positive Impact of Owning Multiple Credit Cards on Credit Score

The fact that you have multiple credit cards can be beneficial to your credit score in many ways and include:

  • Increased credit utilization ratio: Having multiple credit card accounts can assist in improving your CUR. It spreads out your balances over multiple cards.
  • Diversified credit mix: A diversified credit mix can help improve your credit score.

Negative Impact of Owning Multiple Credit Cards on Credit Score

Multiple credit cards could impact your credit score the following ways

    • Higher risk of late payments and delinquencies: having a large number of credit cards can increase a greater chance of missing payments. There is also the possibility of becoming indebted on your accounts.
    • Increased credit inquiry and new accounts If you apply for several credit cards can lead to multiple credit inquiries as well as new accounts. Both of these can affect your credit score.
    • Lower average age of accounts Multiple credit cards can help reduce the age average of your accounts. As a result, it could lower your credit score.
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