I currently manage 8 cards. When I pay my remaining balances down, I'll add the Chase Ink, bringing the total to 9 cards. I think that will be all haha.
I manage all of my cards, even the ones that have a zero balance currently. They all are serving a purpose for me at this stage in my credit journey.
@cjc343 Unfortunately, I feel like I have to keep them right now. They are my oldest open cards. One was opened in June 2011 with HSBC, and the other was opened in March 2012 as a Cash Rewards card. They are both Quicksilver One now, but the EO waived the annual fee. The respective CLs are $500 and $1,000 (recent CLI via the luv button). I have way too many new accounts this year... It is a miracle I have the lineup I do.... I have opened a closed a fe accounts this year: Comenity Beall's - Opened in May $250 CL, wasn't really shopping there and did not want to spend time managing it. Comenity Express - Opened in May $250 CL, was using it, but the rewards on my other cards outweighed the in-store ones. Didn't want to manage it, because I would eventually be closing it. Wells Fargo secured - Opened in April during rebuilding/repair phase $400 CL, decided I wanted my money back since I had repaired most of my blemishes and would not really want the card after it (might have) unsecured anyway, since I was getting way better ones. US Bank - Opened in April during rebuilding with a $300 CL, hated their online banking. High APR, no rewards, and an AF. I just had too many cards to manage, and I wanted my deposit back, so I closed this one too. Old Navy - Totally unnecessary account... I was on a GE approval high and opened it and Gap at the same time (June). So I am totally and completely in the garden. I now have all of the cards I need/want and am going to calm it down before I face AA. I don't think I have yet because I keep optimal utilization, minimizing* excess inquiries, and utilize almost every card. I went fro somewhere in the low 500s to 779 on TU in six months, never thought that would happen..... Thus, so many new accounts.
$7.5K 
$23K 
$5k 
$300(SEC) 
$500 
$300 
$1,500 
$800 
$800
@MoreRewards wrote:
I can manage 4-5 easy. I PIF on everyday stuff or larger planned purchases. Sometimes I carry a balance for large purchases too maybe 2 months, maybe 5 months it just depends.
I've only been carry balance on Cap 1 to get my CLI. Got 1 payment left. I don't really count it (even though it's an account I must pay) because it won't be a regular use card. Total SD.
Sallie Mae Gas & Groceries
Chase Freedom I've used a lot when they had 5% on gas & a couple times for UR mall. They have 1% for any other purchases.
Discover It is replacing my More for online shopping through Shop Discover. I don't use it every single month, hadn't used DS since Aug until last week. It depends on if there is something I want to purchase. It's also great for car rental I use Enterprise exclusively & they give 5% CB through Shop Discover & sometimes they have the 5% gas too (which is great Sallie is capped at $250 a month). I will be using it heavily for Xmas shopping.
My Amex gives 3% on groceries (Sallie Mae is capped $250) unfortunately I forgot to use last month om over a $100 of groceries! It gives 2% for gas. On those purchases I PIF but it's been carry a balance for a fewmonths & will ccontinue to do so until after my divorce.
I have a MC from my bank I'm carry a small balance (just reported) not really sure if I will make few small payments or what. I'd like to get a CLI the beginning of the year but I don't know how good they are about it. Only 1k CL. The rewards structure for online is comparable to Shop Discover but with 1k CL I won't be using it much. If I get an increase I've no problem using for next year holiday shopping.
Also
Walmart card will be after SD after I make this $30 payment. I only got it for the TU score monitoring (and now Sallie Mae offers it go figure) & they had a promo spend $75 get $25 statement credit. I spent $80 it was a good deal.
good to know cause im gonna app for the salliemae next yr
