i stopped myself from applying for lowe's and saks this week. i asked myself, "do i need these?" the answer was no, of course not. i really don't *need* any card, but the bonuses i got this year are pushing me to travel more (which i've been meaning to do for YEARS). i never shop at saks. and the lowe's i'm going to reserve for next year after i buy a house (planning for june 2016). 
@windyhair wrote:i stopped myself from applying for lowe's and saks this week. i asked myself, "do i need these?" the answer was no, of course not. i really don't *need* any card, but the bonuses i got this year are pushing me to travel more (which i've been meaning to do for YEARS). i never shop at saks. and the lowe's i'm going to reserve for next year after i buy a house (planning for june 2016).
Good decision... Once we are able to differentiate between a NEED and a WANT, it makes the decision easier. I do the same thing myself. I actually write down why the card benefits me and why it does not and then decide.
@windyhair wrote:i stopped myself from applying for lowe's and saks this week. i asked myself, "do i need these?" the answer was no, of course not. i really don't *need* any card, but the bonuses i got this year are pushing me to travel more (which i've been meaning to do for YEARS). i never shop at saks. and the lowe's i'm going to reserve for next year after i buy a house (planning for june 2016).
That's exactly the question we have to ask ourselves when we have a weak moment and get the urge to app. I've had to ask myself that question about 4 or 5 times since going in the garden 9 days ago.
@Anonymous wrote:I really need help myself, I have opened 11 new accounts in the last 4 months, 21 Inq's in the last 3 months on Ex, 7 on EQ and 4 on TU. I really need to stop and I figured a thread like this could help. I have learned it can quickly become an addiction and maybe this will help call attention to it. Support and advice are the best tools to a recovery and given credit can majorly help or hurt your financial future, keeping the app finger in check can definitely help.
This is a really great community and with the more support, maybe this can keep others from falling in the same pattern as me.
It's true, it can be addictive.
Strange... who would think it would be fun to apply for credit cards, get rejected for some, and accepted for others?
What kind of hobby is that?
One thing I've noticed as I try to force myself to chill out for awhile is how I get bombarded with temptation wherever I look. Go to the store, and at the register they say 'you can have 25% off if you apply for our card'. Read an article on the internet and all the margins are filled with credit cards. Make an online purchase and there's a credit card application link. Look at your emails confirming online purchases and there are ads for the company's credit card.
One of the temptations -- which I could avoid but haven't -- is visiting these forums. Everytime I see someone saying something like "BBVA is going crazy granting NBA cards" I start to feel tempted.
I guess it must be that sweet 'immediate gratification' that comes from getting a 30-second response saying "congratulations you've been approved".
Thing is, they're not giving out money, they're just giving out the ability to pay fees, pay interest, and get more indebted.
@Anonymous wrote:
Great post you hit the nail on the head. I am amazed at how cards are thrust at you almost everywhere. It definitely does not help the sometimes compulsive need to app. True there are some great offers to take advantage of. It's like walking a tight rope. One side you are don't have enough credit and the other you have too much.
Thanks, Loskene, much appreciated.
I'm especially appalled when MyFICO Forum members say things like "Welcome to the Amex family". A credit card is not a family! Watch what kind of 'family' they are if you're 2 days late on a payment! They'll cut you off at the knees.