How Many Credit Cards Should You Have?
Credit cards can be a valuable tool for many people, but how many credit cards you have and how you use them is unique to your situation. If used responsibly, credit cards can help improve your credit score.
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to the question of how many credit cards a person should have. Ultimately, the number of cards a person owns should be in line with their spending and credit card management abilities. Having more than two or three cards can be difficult to track and lead to excessive debt or overspending. In addition, applying for too many credit cards at once can cause your credit scores to take a hit because it requires numerous hard credit checks from the issuers.
If you’re able to handle the responsibility of owning multiple credit cards, however, they can be an effective tool for achieving certain financial goals like earning rewards and establishing good credit. Credit cards can also help you avoid paying fees or interest on a large purchase by giving you more time to pay back what you’ve charged.
On the flip side, credit cards can be a burden if you struggle to make payments on time or keep your balances low. If you find yourself struggling to manage credit card debt, it may be a sign that you don’t need or are ready for more cards. Additionally, applying for too many credit cards in a short period of time can be a red flag to issuers that you are risky to lend money to.
How Many Credit Cards is Considered a Lot?
Ultimately, there is no exact number of credit cards that you should have, as it depends on your spending habits and financial situation. However, if you use credit cards responsibly, having multiple cards can offer benefits such as greater rewards, lower utilization rates, and increased loan potential.
The average American has about four credit cards, according to Experian. This is an appropriate number for most people, but it’s important to remember that credit card accounts are a revolving form of debt and should be used with caution.
Having too many credit cards can lead to overspending, which in turn can cause debt to build up quickly. Additionally, it can be difficult to keep track of all the different cards and their due dates. Using a free credit score dashboard from NerdWallet can help you stay on top of payments and credit limits. You can also automate monthly payments or set reminders to pay your balance in full, which will help keep you on track
