@Aim_High wrote:
@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.
Well, in regards to him "leaving"... just because he hasn't commented doesn't mean he hasn't read the thread without logging in 
For me, the biggest thing is how many I can easily track. I try to stick to only a few issuers/apps that I need to go to. So, AmEx (4 cards), Chase (3 cards), BofA (soon to be 2 cards), Elan (2 cards... but I do have to log in seperately for each, which sucks), and AOD. I'm goin to ditch my USAA card and Cap1 AU card not just because they overlap with other things enough, but because it's not worth checking up on them regularly. The effort involved for those two extra cards to keep peace of mind about their daily status is just not worth it. Don't even get me started on my Macy's, but... now it's my second oldest card and upgraded to full AmEx at 25k, so meh.
Sock - 
Chopping Block - 
Debit Cards - 
@unsungivy wrote:
@Aim_High wrote:
@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.
Well, in regards to him "leaving"... just because he hasn't commented doesn't mean he hasn't read the thread without logging in
For me, the biggest thing is how many I can easily track. I try to stick to only a few issuers/apps that I need to go to. So, AmEx (4 cards), Chase (3 cards), BofA (soon to be 2 cards), Elan (2 cards... but I do have to log in seperately for each, which sucks), and AOD. I'm goin to ditch my USAA card and Cap1 AU card not just because they overlap with other things enough, but because it's not worth checking up on them regularly. The effort involved for those two extra cards to keep peace of mind about their daily status is just not worth it. Don't even get me started on my Macy's, but... now it's my second oldest card and upgraded to full AmEx at 25k, so meh.
That's also true, @unsungivy. I have read posts on the forums without logging in via my email links for new postings. Normally by now, though, if I had posted a new topic I would have logged in to participate in the discussion
Yes, having multiple cards from the same lender does make it easier to track my cards, and mobile phone apps have also greatly streamlined the process of tracking. When I have spare minutes here or there, I can quickly check my accounts and make payments. I have all the finacial apps saved in a single folder so I can just cycle right through them in order to take care of business. If it wasn't for that and we were still doing 'snail mail' for statements and payments, there's no way I would want to manage even eight cards much less 20 or more! Of course, back in those days, rewards were either non-existent or so minimal that it wasn't worth your while to jump through hoops with multiple cards unless you really needed the credit for some reason such as heavy business spending.
@Aim_High wrote:
@unsungivy wrote:For me, the biggest thing is how many I can easily track. I try to stick to only a few issuers/apps that I need to go to. So, AmEx (4 cards), Chase (3 cards), BofA (soon to be 2 cards), Elan (2 cards... but I do have to log in seperately for each, which sucks), and AOD. I'm goin to ditch my USAA card and Cap1 AU card not just because they overlap with other things enough, but because it's not worth checking up on them regularly. The effort involved for those two extra cards to keep peace of mind about their daily status is just not worth it. Don't even get me started on my Macy's, but... now it's my second oldest card and upgraded to full AmEx at 25k, so meh.
Yes, having multiple cards from the same lender does make it easier to track my cards, and mobile phone apps have also greatly streamlined the process of tracking. When I have spare minutes here or there, I can quickly check my accounts and make payments. I have all the finacial apps saved in a single folder so I can just cycle right through them in order to take care of business. If it wasn't for that and we were still doing 'snail mail' for statements and payments, there's no way I would want to manage even eight cards much less 20 or more! Of course, back in those days, rewards were either non-existent or so minimal that it wasn't worth your while to jump through hoops with multiple cards unless you really needed the credit for some reason such as heavy business spending.
So true! I completely didn't bother with the "WorldPoints" I accumulated from my original BofA card, or the 1x points from my original version of AmEx Blue. I only used the cards for things I didn't have the money on hand for, for years. Had those two plus a super basic 5/3 MC for years and years.
I don't know that I would even bother if it was JUST websites. Apps makes the difference for me, for my own cards anyways. I troll them in a nice relaxing bath in the morning... activating new AmEx deals is a relaxing way to start my day!
@tparks5961 wrote: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.
Kudos for closing cards.
Are you tracking your scores to understand how your scores may ( or may not ) be affected by balances being reported? If there's no near term applications expected, the effort for an optimized score may not result in any benefits, beyond your own knowledge.
