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Is there such a thing as too many cards?

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mgs2010
Regular Contributor

Re: Is there such a thing as too many cards?

The target card was my first post bk7 store card. Since then, my limits have been steadily increased as more time passed since bk. Ive always just been afraid to close cards out but i definitely agree, many of these cards have similar rewards programs and some have none at all. The only one I'm dead set on keeping is discover. I worked really hard to get back in with them after years of being declined. I love the 5% cash back in rotating categories. The rest are just "meh"
Message 11 of 32
grillandwinemaster
Valued Contributor

Re: Is there such a thing as too many cards?

IME, at one point I was managing 24 credit accounts, about HALF of what your managing. I realized time spent doing so was not worth it FOR ME. 

 

Consider 3 potential pitfalls:

A) increased chances of fraud \risk.

B) increased chances of accidentally missing a payment. (I did this😕)

C) increased mental anguish/anxiety level. (This happened to me.) 

 

In the end, there isn't much that your accomplishing with 50 credit cards that can't be accomplished with 5-10 credit cards. Of course, were all different, if it's a hobby for you, then so be it. Just my 2 cents, FWIW. 


Current Scores 3/2016 Equifax 676 Transunion 697 Experian 648 Goal Scores: 720's accross the board. Gardening Goal: 3/2017
Message 12 of 32
Anonymous
Not applicable

Re: Is there such a thing as too many cards?

I'm trying to get down to 7/7 store/primes. I'm way in the high 20s total still.

I don't know what Cards you have, but with retail cards, close any that do not ever offer deferred financing. Your spends could go on a 1% or more card. Discover up to 10% right? Target is tough to part with as it's 5%, but they have a debit card linked to your bank to solve that.

I did a huge spree last year and because of it I've been denied the Bliss pay and the Marvel card. You may notice there are bunch of threads of members getting all kinds cash back this morning. tipping my hat to people who got to take advantage.
I'm not trying to make this all about me because everyone plays by the same rules. my disasters will get repeated by others who do the same thing. Very few favorites and exceptions. Some "on a roll" post months later with AA and shutdowns.
Message 13 of 32
Anonymous
Not applicable

Re: Is there such a thing as too many cards?


@Anonymous wrote:

I'm using 3 right now with 2 in SD and even that seems like too much work for me... 50 cards looks like a full time job honestly... I don't know what I'd do with that many... there are some other cards that I was looking at but in all honesty, I don't know if I want to deal with even 2 more... as someone mentioned, "too many" seems like an individual thing... but 50 seems like way too many no matter who you are...


Hey eXs,

Which cards in the sock drawer?

Message 14 of 32
Anonymous
Not applicable

Re: Is there such a thing as too many cards?


@Anonymous wrote:

@Anonymous wrote:

I'm using 3 right now with 2 in SD and even that seems like too much work for me... 50 cards looks like a full time job honestly... I don't know what I'd do with that many... there are some other cards that I was looking at but in all honesty, I don't know if I want to deal with even 2 more... as someone mentioned, "too many" seems like an individual thing... but 50 seems like way too many no matter who you are...


Hey eXs,

Which cards in the sock drawer?


haven't used my Slate since college... so about 4 years now with no charges on it... not sure how they still keep it open... I need to go and buy myself a slurpee with it or something... UofM BoA isn't used either... I don't drive enough to put gas on it (plus it won't even fit in the wallet anymore) and 1% on other stuff just doesn't compare to 2% on DC, 1.5% right away on QS (travel and overflow from DC) and 3% from Marvel on seriously like 90% of my spending...

 

so yea... Slate and BoA have no use/space for me...

Message 15 of 32
Anonymous
Not applicable

Re: Is there such a thing as too many cards?


@Anonymous wrote:

@Anonymous wrote:

@Anonymous wrote:

I'm using 3 right now with 2 in SD and even that seems like too much work for me... 50 cards looks like a full time job honestly... I don't know what I'd do with that many... there are some other cards that I was looking at but in all honesty, I don't know if I want to deal with even 2 more... as someone mentioned, "too many" seems like an individual thing... but 50 seems like way too many no matter who you are...


Hey eXs,

Which cards in the sock drawer?


haven't used my Slate since college... so about 4 years now with no charges on it... not sure how they still keep it open... I need to go and buy myself a slurpee with it or something... UofM BoA isn't used either... I don't drive enough to put gas on it (plus it won't even fit in the wallet anymore) and 1% on other stuff just doesn't compare to 2% on DC, 1.5% right away on QS (travel and overflow from DC) and 3% from Marvel on seriously like 90% of my spending...

 

so yea... Slate and BoA have no use/space for me...


Thanks...

We have similar cards...mine are new and low CL....

And I am done apping...just need to be patient with the cli...somehow someway!

 

Message 16 of 32
Broke_Triathlete
Valued Contributor

Re: Is there such a thing as too many cards?

I definitely think there is such a thing. If you're applying for more cards and aren't using the ones you already have, then yes, you have too many cards. If you are juggling so many cards and begin to miss payments because cause you forgot about them (one should really have all cards on auto pay, at least the minimum), then yes, you have too many cards.

 

However, it's completely individual. Some can and only want to manage a few, like myself. There are others that can manage 50+ and I believe there is a member here with 95 cards. Then on the extreme you have one guy that manages 1600+ cards. I couldn't imagine printing off that credit report. 

Personal:

Business:


Message 17 of 32
Anonymous
Not applicable

Re: Is there such a thing as too many cards?

My question is: with 50 cards, which ones do you use on a regular basis (say every month or 2) or have benefits that you use on a regular basis (airline & hotel benefits, free FICO scores, events, concierge, etc.)? I'd keep those cards and whichever is your oldest card (for reporting purposes) and close everything else.

Message 18 of 32
n777ua
Established Contributor

Re: Is there such a thing as too many cards?

My personal opinion is that 50 is egregious; there's no practical need for that many open tradelines.  On the off chance you'd ever default or BK, think of all the lenders you could be potentially blacklisting yourself from.  As others have pointed out, just because a BK is off your CR in 10 years doesn't mean its gone from a lenders records.

Just my $.02

About $215,000 total credit among 11 cards
Message 19 of 32
Anonymous
Not applicable

Re: Is there such a thing as too many cards?


@Anonymous wrote:

@Anonymous wrote:

@Anonymous wrote:

@Anonymous wrote:

I'm using 3 right now with 2 in SD and even that seems like too much work for me... 50 cards looks like a full time job honestly... I don't know what I'd do with that many... there are some other cards that I was looking at but in all honesty, I don't know if I want to deal with even 2 more... as someone mentioned, "too many" seems like an individual thing... but 50 seems like way too many no matter who you are...


Hey eXs,

Which cards in the sock drawer?


haven't used my Slate since college... so about 4 years now with no charges on it... not sure how they still keep it open... I need to go and buy myself a slurpee with it or something... UofM BoA isn't used either... I don't drive enough to put gas on it (plus it won't even fit in the wallet anymore) and 1% on other stuff just doesn't compare to 2% on DC, 1.5% right away on QS (travel and overflow from DC) and 3% from Marvel on seriously like 90% of my spending...

 

so yea... Slate and BoA have no use/space for me...


Thanks...

We have similar cards...mine are new and low CL....

And I am done apping...just need to be patient with the cli...somehow someway!

 


cool, which ones do you have?

Message 20 of 32
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