@Anonymous wrote:Perhaps afbar needs a realistic long term plan and a hobby between apps that isn't in any way related to credit.
I hate managing 7 cards but digging out of this hole and doing school stuff properly will just take time. In 3 years I'd like to cancel at least 2 cards. In 5 years I plan on being down to three cards
7!!! i have 9 and i think its hard thats why i want to trim some fat once i get a freedom and bce/bcp i would like to have no more than 5...4 would be idal for me
@afbar1114 wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:Perhaps afbar needs a realistic long term plan and a hobby between apps that isn't in any way related to credit.
I hate managing 7 cards but digging out of this hole and doing school stuff properly will just take time. In 3 years I'd like to cancel at least 2 cards. In 5 years I plan on being down to three cards
7!!! i have 9 and i think its hard thats why i want to trim some fat once i get a freedom and Bcc/Bcc I would like to have no more than 5...4 would be idal for me
Mine are good cards but a few were mostly to improve utilization or age. In 5 years I only want to have BCP, Citi Diamond Preferred, and a card from USAA.
I envision my future self being less credit-obsessed and only needing the Amex for daily spending and another 2 for backup. 
@afbar1114 wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:Perhaps afbar needs a realistic long term plan and a hobby between apps that isn't in any way related to credit.
I hate managing 7 cards but digging out of this hole and doing school stuff properly will just take time. In 3 years I'd like to cancel at least 2 cards. In 5 years I plan on being down to three cards
7!!! i have 9 and i think its hard thats why i want to trim some fat once i get a freedom and bce/bcp i would like to have no more than 5...4 would be idal for me
If you think thats a lot i have around like 19 or 20 i think?? idk i lost count haha
I'd keep, SD and try for CLI w/GEMB CCs every 4 mos. In a year or so, when you have the prime CCs you want, then I would look at trimming the fat. Until then, you're establishing a positive credit history and higher CLs will help you get a good CL with the new CCs you want. Don't worry about having to put through charges every month. Just use the cards you want to use. Keep it simple.
ETA: In the future, I'd only app for the CCs you *really* want. I only started getting CCs last March, and *only* have the CCs I want (except for Cap One, which was a necessary evil to rebuild).
afbar1114;
You went through a bit from what I remember to gather those cards. You don't have to use store cards for 6 months usually to keep them active. If a card doesn't have a fee, it doesn't matter if you keep it and don't use it really. And the GE cards could help you avoid the temptation to apply simply by giving you the chance to ask for CLIs once in a while without worry of a HP (like bichonmom mentioned, great idea really).
I wouldn't close any of them. Frankly, I don't know why you think the BB card won't give you a CLI in the future, most Plan B cards start under the 800 CL and with a 27ish% rate, you're at 1000. If you have the 25ish % interest with BB, you're on Plan A that allows CLIs.
Your best bet is probably to note when you got the cards, the dates you should request CLI's from GE cards (4th statement cut etc), your results after the request etc and make that your credit hobby along with paying on time and gardening. It will be very effective in helping you garden while avoiding the app monster. Also, you can watch some of your credit info and an "idea" of a score for free with some services, like CK etc.
Focus on your goal with the above and you'll avoid problems in the future with too many INQ's etc. I last app'd for something in December and it still feels like only a couple weeks since my last app.
Just some suggestions
