@krit wrote:I put every. single. thing. I buy on cards, then PIF and reap the cash back. I only have nine revolving accounts right now, and ideally would like to combine my Discover cards (one of these years 🙄) then whittle it down to five cards. However, to keep from applying for new cards, I focus on raising my CLs. Unfortunately, that's working too well -- now I can't close any of them out for fear of losing the CLs. Is there a 12-step program for this stuff? 😎
Yes there is but you're in the wrong place if you're looking for it. 
First off congratulations on rebuildig your credit. I am likely going to repeat advice and that others have said but I will share my experiences and my thoughts.
To answer the question of how many cards to have, that is really about your goals. At the end of the day, there is nothing wrong with having just a single credit card that you use in emergencies and pay for stuff with a debit card and or cash if you trust yourself better taking that approach. I know that kind of thinking is anathema sometimes here but whatever meets your goals is what you should do.
No one is really getting rich of credit card rewards programs, and when you consider the amount of time that some folks put into making a few extra dollars with their daily spend it wouldn't be worth it except for those that nerd out about the stuff and actually get enjoyment when they squeeze out an extra half a percent back on some purchase.
For me, I made poor credit decisions in my early adulthood and crawled my way back. Early on my goals were about building credit faster (multiple cards to report) and I was focused earning travel rewards and so I had a few different cards to reach those goals. Most of my friends think I have too many cards, and perhaps I do, certaintly as I am not traveling as much but I have enjoyed the cashback each year and the few free flights or hotel nights I have had over the years.
One thing for many of us is that even when our goals change we don't typically close accounts. My Dillard's card for example gets very little spend these days as my excessive clothes shopping days are over, but I keep it open. It is an extra account to maintain but works for me.
In the end, do what is best for you. I would just add not to be afraid to put essentials on the card and pay in full. Why not get that grocery cash back or rewards. Even a card with 1.5% cashback if you put all the things you HAD to buy on it you would have a little something at the end of the year.
I will have enough cards when I can charge everything at 5% or more rewards/cashback/statement balance.
Right now, 3% on everything is as good as you can get besides 4%/5% category cards.
I sometimes think it would be nice to only have one or two cards.
I like to have a variety of cards from different places just in case one of them decides to trash the rewards, balance chase, or close accounts. We used to see it a lot where some put almost all their credit in one place and then a mass close of cards happens.
I have a friend with the AARP card that was transferred to Barclay previously Chase. They put at least 5k+ a month through that card over many years and as of late it's been over 10k a month because they are building a 350k home. They pay the card off weekly. I think it had a 25k credit line. Barclay decided to decline an 18k transaction for the materials for their new garage. She was very embarrassed. She logged in and saw they cut her credit line in half. I've warned them for years that they need to diversify and not rely on one or two cards.
@krit wrote:This is life-changing. 🥰@Anonymous wrote:
@krit wrote:@Gollum True. One of these days it's going to stop working. Then I'm going to be pretty bored. 😆
There are (or shortly will be!) two great sites to alleviate boredom and maybe make some money:
https://www.whenwillthepaintdry.tv and https://www.howmuchwillthegrassgrow.tv
Each shows you a real-time videocam of the approriate scene (a large wall just repainted or an uncut lawn) and punters are encouraged to place predictions (and of course back their predictions up with some real money).
This will pass the time, and if you do well enough, credit card CL and apps won't seem so important, and if you do badly enough, you are not going to be approved anyway, so great solution!
Where's the link for "ask a random question and leave the crowd to discuss..." 
@NRB525 wrote:Where's the link for "ask a random question and leave the crowd to discuss..."
LOL ... so true. OP @Amwar73mf asked the question three days ago and left the forums. He hasn't been back online since he posted. Meanwhile, we're on message number 39 of the thread with no input from him. 
I knew I started approaching my limit when I starting closing accounts.
I closed 2 Capital one cards in addition to two low limit American Express cards.
I think I had about 15 and one day realized I was tired of keeping track of and keeping so many cards active... especially the low limit ones.
At this point, I'm so bitter about the juggle necessary to keep a high score by constantly paying off bills before closing dates, that I doubt I will ever apply for another personal card again.
Last Inquiry 12/23/2022 Ally Bank Mortgage
