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How Many Credit Cards Should I Have - Coast Tradelines

Dec 19

How Much Credit Cards Should I Have? The Intersection of Credit Cards and Tradelines Explained

 

One of the most enigmatizing questions for people in personal finance is "How much credit card do I require?" This question becomes crucial when you are thinking about adding tradelines to your credit report. Let's break down this subject by providing you with the information and direction to make sound financial decisions.

The Conundrum of Credit Card Numbers: Why It Matters

The number of credit card you use is not just the result of personal convenience. It also influences your credit score. Although you're aware that having a credit card can improve your credit score, you're probably confused as to how many credit cards you should have.

The Pros and Cons of Owning Multiple Credit Cards

Before we discuss how many credit cards you need to have before we look at the benefits and downsides when you have multiple credit cards.

Advantages of Owning Multiple Credit Cards

  • If you're a credit card holder with multiple cards your credit limit could be greater. A high credit limit is advantageous for emergencies or large purchases.
  • Make use of credit cards with rewards and cashback offers to save you money when you purchase things on a daily basis.
  • Your ratio of credit utilization will increase. The credit utilization ratio relates to the amount of available credit that you currently use. Credit cards with multiple accounts can boost your credit score by splitting your balances.

Disadvantages of Owning Multiple Credit Cards

  • Multiple credit cards can make you more likely to overspend and go into debt.
  • It's easy, and often unplanned, to make expenditures that aren't feasible if you have a lot of credit cards.
  • Controlling multiple credit cards can require long and time. Even more so if payment timetables change.
  • In addition, more cards could result in higher credit utilization. A high CUR can impact your credit score.
  • Different cards offer different perks. Having too few cards means losing out on a variety of benefits.
  • On the other hand having too many cards can make managing payment due dates challenging. It can result in problems with late fees and a lower credit score.

Key Points to Consider When Applying for Credit Cards

  1. Different Benefits: Look for cards that provide a variety of advantages, such as cashback, travel rewards, or low-interest rates.
  2. Annual Fees Check to ensure that the card's benefits outweigh any annual fees.
  3. Interest Rates: It is crucial unless you're confident you'll pay off the debt every month.
  4. Credit Limit: A higher credit limit could improve your credit utilization ratio, if you don't max it out.

Average Number Credit Cards Should I Have

After looking at the advantages and disadvantages to owning several credit cards, let's examine the number of credit cards to get. How many credit card accounts is excessive, and how many are enough?

Financial experts recommend having 3 to 5 credit cards for a well-rounded credit profile. This will provide many benefits and can also help with the credit utilization ratio.

Factors to Consider When Deciding The Number Credit Cards to Own

A number of factors must be taken into consideration when deciding how many credit cards you will own. These include:

  • The credit score and the history: Your credit history and score will dictate how many credit cards you need. You'll only be able to qualify for one or two credit cards if you have low credit scores or a less than stellar credit history.
  • Earnings and expenses: Your income and expenses can be vital. If you have a good income and low expenses, you may take on more credit cards than those with lower incomes and more expenses.
  • Financial goals and priorities The goals you have for your finances and the priorities will affect how many credit cards you should own. If you're looking at improving your credit score, or earn rewards, you should consider owning a number of credit cards.

Recommended Number of Credit Cards Based on Different Scenarios

Here are some recommended numbers of credit cards based on various scenarios:

  • for those with no credit history If you are not able to establish credit, you might qualify for one or two credit cards.
  • For those with average credit scores If you have an average credit score you may have between two and three credit cards.
  • For those with outstanding credit scores: If you have an excellent credit score you could have at least four credit cards.

How Owning Multiple Credit Cards Affects Your Credit Score

Now that we have looked at how many credit cards you're required to have Let's see how applying multiple credit cards can affect your credit score.

Positive Impact of Owning Multiple Credit Cards on Credit Score

Multiple credit cards have a positive effect on your credit score in different ways and include:

  • Better credit utilization ratio: Possessing multiple credit card accounts can aid in improving your CUR. It spreads your balances over multiple cards.
  • Diversified credit mix: A diversified credit mix can help improve your credit score.

Negative Impact of Owning Multiple Credit Cards on Credit Score

Multiple credit card accounts can hurt your credit score in the following ways

    • Increased risk of missing payments and delinquencies: Having many credit card accounts could lead to an increased risk of avoiding payments. There is also the risk of becoming delinquent to your credit card accounts.
    • Increased credit inquiries and new accounts Credit card applications for multiple cards can generate multiple credit enquiries as well as new accounts. Both can lower your credit score.
    • Lower average age of accounts The presence of multiple credit card accounts can reduce the age average of your accounts. As a result, it could affect your credit score.
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