Question about store cards

Anonymous · ‎02-04-2015

Hello!! I am wondering how to handle my store cards during my gardening year. I got them and used them during the holiday season and just finished paying them all off including fingerhut. Target Im paying off at the end of the month so that would be the exception. My question is since they are recently opened cards should I just keep them to maintain a thicker file once they age? Do I have to use them often or is once or twice a year enough? Im paying off debt on my major cards and dont want to incur more store card debt to distract me from that. What do you think?

Anonymous · ‎02-04-2015

@Anonymous wrote:
Hello!! I am wondering how to handle my store cards during my gardening year. I got them and used them during the holiday season and just finished paying them all off including fingerhut. Target Im paying off at the end of the month so that would be the exception. My question is since they are recently opened cards should I just keep them to maintain a thicker file once they age? Do I have to use them often or is once or twice a year enough? Im paying off debt on my major cards and dont want to incur more store card debt to distract me from that. What do you think?

Don't have to use em.

Eventually they'll likely send coupons to get you to come back and use them. Use them only at this time IF you need something from them. Otherwise, SD.

App_Addict · ‎02-04-2015

@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
Hello!! I am wondering how to handle my store cards during my gardening year. I got them and used them during the holiday season and just finished paying them all off including fingerhut. Target Im paying off at the end of the month so that would be the exception. My question is since they are recently opened cards should I just keep them to maintain a thicker file once they age? Do I have to use them often or is once or twice a year enough? Im paying off debt on my major cards and dont want to incur more store card debt to distract me from that. What do you think?
Don't have to use em.

Eventually they'll likely send coupons to get you to come back and use them. Use them only at this time IF you need something from them. Otherwise, SD.

No real reason to close, any "damage" that they caused (AAOA, HP) has been done. Use when makes sense (coupons, sale) and let them grow with you! Once your credit file gets thicker and you graduate to more preferred cards then you can look, if you have no need to close fingerhut and the like. Good luck with your future credit growth!

CURRENT SCORES: TU: 698 21 Apps / EX: 644 28 Apps / AAoA: 4.4 Yrs. / Util. 5% / Goal: 750 by 12/22

takeshi74 · ‎02-04-2015

@Anonymous wrote:
What do you think?

Your call. Are you likely to incur more debt on your store cards if you keep them open? If you keep them open but don't use them can you actively monitor them?

Anonymous · ‎02-04-2015

@takeshi74 wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
What do you think?
Your call. Are you likely to incur more debt on your store cards if you keep them open? If you keep them open but don't use them can you actively monitor them?

Those are good questions. They are cards I only use if I go to the mall and if I dont go there is no temptation. I do work quite a lot so that is not a problem. I can actively monitor them but how often should I?