@Anonymous wrote:
I would try to focus on diversity.
I think someone who is already applying for too many cards doesn't need to worry about applying for more for the sake of diversity at this point. They already have 17 accounts. The whole "diversity" thing is IMO overstated. For the average person, 3-4 different lenders are more than enough. Your cards aren't all going to get shut down at once out of the blue. It's nice to have different options, yes, but they are just credit cards, not investments or anything, so there's only a need for so much diversity. The "diversity" advice comes from a good place, but people who are already in addiction mode don't need to be convinced to open yet more accounts.
OP, I'd take a step back and really analyze what the purpose of the cards are. It's very easy to get caught up in approvals, and like someone else said, eventually you'll start getting denials. But that said, it's not just about being approved or denied - are you applying for cards that serve a purpose? If we're talking about just everyday, ongoing spend, I find I mostly end up using 2 or 3 cards for 99% of my purchases, so others that I applied for impulsively pretty much were a waste and offer minimal value. Run the numbers. How much do you spend on x y z every month? How many more dollars does that translate into by spreading onto another card? Don't obsess about pennies in rewards and open a bunch of redundant accounts. You only spend so much money every month. It isn't necessary to collect cards for every possible category.
Also keep in mind that IMO the more cards you have, the more you will could end up spending, either just to "keep them active" (and spend where you otherwise would not be spending), to use a certain category or perk, etc. So you could end up losing in the long run when you think you are saving.
Beyond that, consider a break from here. Sometimes it helps calm the urge if you aren't reading about credit. Keep your accounts in good standing and just relax.
