Hello All!
I've been a lurker for a while and finally decided to join... mainly because I need help/motivation/"tough love" to stop applying for credit.
Prior to my recent "spree" I had/did the following:
-Citi Dividend (since 5/2008): $0/$3800
-Wells Fargo Home Visa - Joint Account (since 8/2009): $0/$6200
-Sunoco/Citi Gas Card (since 10/2010): $0/$750
-Chase Freedom (since 7/2011): $0/$1000
-Barclay Apple (since 7/2011): $200/$2400 (0% interest for iPad)
-AMEX Zync (since 7/2011): NPSL
-Best Buy Rewards Mastercard (since 5/2012):$0/$1500
Then got my score from myFico (665) and this happened:
-Chase Freedom: $0/$5500 (increased
)
-AMEX BCE: $10,000 (for gas/groceries) (Experian Score of 770??)
-AMEX Hilton: $3,900 (few vacations planned)
-Chase Sapphire Preferred: $15,000 (rewards)
-Citi Simplicity: $11,700 (0% interest for 18 months)
-Barclay Ring: Pending...
For some reason I'm so tempted to get the Discover It... why, just a rush plus the rewards. Do I need them, nope. Want them, yes.
Can anyone help me say "no" and enter the garden? Any solid reasoning why I shouldn't other than way to map HPs on my report?
Thanks!
Put down the phone and step slowly away from the computer. keep those hands where they can be seen.
Everything will be okay, one step back away at a time, then another.
Easy does it, no sudden moves. 
Here is what I did (and I don't have nearly as many cards as you). I made a spreadsheet that shows all of my cards, their limits, their annual fees, minimum spending needed for signup bonus/annual fee, and then quarterly best use of each card. I also make a note of any cards that are currently 0% APR in case I do need to carry a balance over at some point. By doing this, I realized that I realistically only need to carry about 3-4 cards to maximize my rewards, and just swap out as rewards change. Makes it so much simpler.
I want to pick up an AmEx BCP, and PC my Amazon.com Rewards card to the Chase Freedom (if they will let me) after I spend at least 6 months in the garden, and I will be all set. See ya in the Garden.
You have 13 CC. No respectable person has more than 13 CC. Be sure to close one before your next Application.
Just ask yourself, once I apply and get approved for the card, then what? And how would I feel if I get denied? I think the instant gratification from getting approved for a card is what you are craving. But what happens after the fact? Thats what I ask myself before I get tempted to apply for a card...at least in the meantime I just find reasons to scare myself from applying.
Thank you all for the replies... to the garden I got...
Apping makes you fat.
