How Many Credit Cards Do You Use?

I've got a whole bunch... and I use every single one... but pay off the balances monthly... Every so often I make a large purchase and carry a balance for a few months.. This is how one maintains a credit score well over 800.
 

I guess I play the game different for different reasons. I monitor my FICO/FAKO scores on Credit.com and CreditKarma. C.c gives Experian, CK gives me Transunion & Equifax. All three scores are above 725. On C.c they give a grade rating system A-F in 5 areas plus what is called your Vantage score (mine 765). These are arbitrary since there are over 45+ scores used by various agencies/businesses to rate you. Depends on what someone wants to find out about you. Below is a snapshot of C.c:

1- Payment History = A
2- Debt Usage = B
3- Credit Age = B
4- Account Mix = A+
5- Inquiries = A+ not one hard pull in 4 years, that was for a different cell phone provider in 2011.

Both the 'free' sites instruct me to raise my scores I need more/some installment debt and a history of making payments on time to show a better credit/risk analysis. What, get more debt/credit to enable me to get more debt/credit? I was told by a retired banker/neighbor that based upon my reports I would qualify for any mortgage or auto loan they offered. The only other thing they would need to verify is my 'debt to income' other factors they use is your 'potential for debt', how much open credit do you have available (open credit accounts & limits) red flag if you have too many open accounts. Another Catch-22, if you start closing accounts impacting your scores.

The only reason I do monitor them is not necessarily to check scores but use them as to alert possibility for identity theft.
 
I have two - my VISA and one for my favourite department store.
I pay them off well before due date and have never had to pay
interest on them.
 

Two. One for paying bills, one for a major emergency. I use a pre-paid card for ordering stuff online. I just put a load of money on it for Christmas presents.

Order tomorrow, wrap it, done by December 15th.
 
None.
Hubby and I each have a debit card on the accounts that receive our pension payments.
Our pensions go into separate accounts but both are joint accounts and we each hold a debit card on both accounts as a failsafe when we are travelling
 
Here's my story,

I belong to 3 Credit Unions.

1. Located out of state, I auto deposit my pension. I have a VISA debit card. Withdraw funds @ $500 daily limit from CU 2.
2. Located locally, short drive. I auto deposit my SS. I have a VISA debit card. Withdraw remaining funds at drive up.
3. Located locally, shorter drive. I make all my cash deposits into 2 MM accounts (emergency/long term). NO debit CARD!

I keep no more than $50 in 1 & 2 to avoid OD's. I pay all Utilities/Rent/etc from CU 2.

If I want to purchase something online or locally I use the 24 hour rule & if I still want it I deposit enough to cover the purchase into CU 2 and use my debit card. I remove my debit card number from Amazon and any others I've used.

I have opted out and require my CU's to deny any purchases that may OD my accounts.

I pay no fees, never had an OD, I place my debit cards in my fireproof safe when not in use.

I don't have any account on auto pay (Netflix and my auto insurance will accept either an annual or semi-annual payment and waive the processing fees). I pay my property/auto taxes annually. Neither will take a credit card.

I ask for cash or senior discounts everywhere I can and have walked when denied.

I monitor all accounts daily for problems.

I don't fly, travel, stay at motels/hotels at this stage and only travel locally for entertainment. I have a 2005 Mini that we bought new that has just under 24,000 miles on it. My gas expenses never exceed $50 monthly. I used to travel and have visited every state in the union except N Dakota some several times. Our food costs usually never exceed $400 monthly and we do dine out once a week it is never more than $150 monthly after discounts.

I can't see that having a rewards card would benefit me other than giving me something else to monitor.

But the most important thing Jack Reacher never uses credit cards only cash! Cash is untraceable and keeps you off advertisers mailing/target lists.
 
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Zero...now that I can do the same online with only a debit card. I use Priceline (debit card) for reservations that in the past, took a credit card.
 
We were in route, moving from Arizona back to Florida. We were in Las Cruces NM when my wife got a call on her cell phone. Her card had been hacked and there were several hundred $$ in bogus charges in addition to some that were legitimate. The card was cancelled and a new one would be mailed to us, but first we needed to have a mailing address. We were traveling with a travel trailer and did not want to linger along the way. Fortunately I have a different card which we used until we got to Florida and rented a post office box and we could get our mail. Sometimes it is better to have a second card.
 
RadishRose said:
One. Of course I don't always pay in full every month.... but when I do, I drink Dos Equis.
Click to expand...

:lofl:
I only have one also, and it's only for Christmas shopping and auto repairs IF NEEDED. (Since I craft and sew, most gifts are home-made.) I calculate the card payments to pay the balance down quickly but painlessly.
 
Manatee said:
We were in route, moving from Arizona back to Florida. We were in Las Cruces NM when my wife got a call on her cell phone. Her card had been hacked and there were several hundred $$ in bogus charges in addition to some that were legitimate. The card was cancelled and a new one would be mailed to us, but first we needed to have a mailing address. We were traveling with a travel trailer and did not want to linger along the way. Fortunately I have a different card which we used until we got to Florida and rented a post office box and we could get our mail. Sometimes it is better to have a second card.
Click to expand...

We carry a major CC and a bank Debit Card..
 
I have three that I use regularly, one for 5 cents off gas, one for points, that is an American Express card and one to use where they don't take American Express.
 
Only one; a Master Card used for more expensive purchases. The balance is paid off regularly from my bank checking account.

Otherwise I pay cash for everything. No hassle when checking out. The cashiers always appreciate my greenbacks and coins.
 
Have one I just use for unexpected emergencies. Otherwise, if I do not have enough money for it, I do not need it. ;);
 
None. I got rid of the few I had 20 years ago. I would like one for medical emergencies (teeth, etc.), but I'm afraid I'd be tempted to use it for beach trips, so, I really wouldn't like to have one.

When my dad was my age he had a walletful. One for each local department store, one for the half-dozen clothing stores that shared one; one for the local gas station and one backup for the one across the street from them, and Amex. How times have changed!
 
I had credit cards for two large department stores for years, just cancelled them recently.
Now only have the one card plus my bank card. Like many of you I have always paid
my cards on time, never had to pay interest.
 
We qualified for Navy Federal Credit Union when we were stationed overseas in the 1980s. DH had a visa card from them with a second card for me. A few years ago, I tried to apply for a Holiday Inn Express visa card so I could earn hotel points. I was denied so when Navy Federal offered me one I took them up on it so I can build up some credit history too. DH is the second signer on that card so we have two cards. We only use them for gas, online, travel or mail order purchases. Otherwise I use cash only and write checks to pay my bills! I made sure the ATM card and Visa card are NOT debit cards. That just complicates things too much for my bookkeeping skills.

I do, however, want to thank and BLESS whomever created Quicken. I have my check book on Quicken, on my 1993 IBM Aptiva desk top - NOT connected to the internet - and I can balance my check book every month so easily!! Brilliant!!
 

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