How many credit cards should you have ?
Individuals possessing numerous credit cards isn’t unheard of these days, thanks to the fast-expanding usage of credit cards. In reality, the number of people who have more than one credit card has increased in lockstep with the credit card market’s expansion. Having numerous credit cards provides you with advantages such as a lower credit usage ratio, more rewards, and greater spending power, among other things. If you already have a credit card and are thinking about getting another, there are a few things to consider. Check out the following points and treat yourself to the pleasure of a hassle-free credit card experience.
The Benefits of Having Several Credit Cards
The following are the main benefits of having numerous credit cards:
- A greater spending capacity: As the number of credit cards on your account grows, so does your credit limit. As a result, you have some extra spending power that you may put towards high-value goods and other bills.
- If you have numerous cards, you may transfer the outstanding balances from each card to a single card and then return the balance on that card whenever it is convenient for you. The balance transfer facility is what it’s called.
- A boost to your credit score: Using many credit cards provides you a genuine chance to keep each of them at a low credit usage ratio. And one of the most crucial variables that determine your credit score is a low credit ratio.
Having Multiple Credit Cards Has Its Drawbacks
The following are some of the potential drawbacks of having several credit cards.
- A possible debt trap: Because combining many credit cards gives you a bigger credit limit, you may be tempted to spend foolishly and buy things you don’t need. As a result, you may slip into a complex debt trap and struggle to maintain a healthy financial balance.
- Your credit score may suffer: Because having many credit cards also means having multiple payment obligations, you may find yourself unable to pay your bills on time, causing your credit score to suffer. As a result, if you want to receive many credit cards, you must be prepared to take on greater financial responsibilities.
- Associated fees and charges: You’re probably aware of the various fees and charges associated with your credit card. The joining charge, yearly cost, late payment fee, cash advance fee, reward redemption fee, and so on are all examples of these fees. As a result, the more cards you have, the greater your fees and charges will be.
The Optimal Credit Card Number
When it comes to credit cards, there is no such thing as an optimal number that can be advised to anybody. Although having a few cards might be a genuine boon, having too many can signal disaster in more ways than one. This is a personal judgment that necessitates your judgment in order to arrive at the proper amount.
Points to Keep in Mind When Considering Multiple Credit Cards
- Check to see whether there is a genuine need: It is critical that you be convinced that you require another credit card in your name. This will also assist you in selecting the appropriate sort of card for your needs.
- Do not be enticed by initial offers: You should not proceed with the application procedure if you already have a lot of credit cards and are simply looking for another one because of the appealing promotional incentives it offers. These limited-time offers and incentives should not be the primary motivation for someone to apply for a credit card. In the long term, these limited-time deals will be of little use to you, and the card will just add to your financial problems.
- Examine your capacity to repay your debts: Having many credit cards is one thing; repaying your debts is another. Don’t take on more than you can handle, and be wary of overestimating your ability to repay and underestimating the repercussions of missing payments. As a result, you’ll have a rough notion of the maximum amount of credit cards you should have.
- Recognize your increased responsibilities: Using numerous credit cards necessitates some financial juggling in order to pay off the debts you owe on all of them. Apart from preparing the payback cash, you’ll need to keep track of the due dates for each card, the expiration date of reward points, the card renewal date, and so on.
Having many credit cards may be really beneficial, especially if you know how to manage them effectively. You should devote some work to optimizing the card-handling procedure as a whole. Using numerous credit cards may be a double-edged sword, and you should be sure you’ve covered all of your bases before reaping the rewards.