Credit cards can be great as long as you use them properly and take advantage of the rewards they offer, but you should keep the number of cards you have to a minimum. As an individual your goal should be to be that credit card holder that the credit company hates because you pay off your entire balance in full every month on time. Obviously the credit card company makes the big money off of people who constantly are paying interest on their debts, but you don’t want to be one of those people! Why should you keep the number of cards in your wallet or purse to a minimum? Let’s take a closer look.

1. Simplicity- Put quite simply, the less credit cards you have to keep track of the easier it will be for you to pay the bill on time and take the proper steps necessary to minimize debts you may owe. Easier tracking of when to pay and easier to stay away from fraud and theft.
2. Less addictive- As strange as it may sound to many, credit cards can become very addictive if you have too many of them. Those who overuse credit cards and have a card from each store they shop in are much more likely to become addicted to spending money using that plastic.
3. Maximize Rewards- The best way to maximize the rewards out of your credit card is to have less cards and be able to build up more points over time. Too many cards leads to spreading the points out and not getting the impressive rewards.
4. The Fine Print- Credit cards come with fine print, that’s just the way they are. A salesperson can make a certain card sound perfect, but it has fine print and if you continue to rack up card after card you are bound to get burned sooner or later.

Credit cards can be a great thing if used properly, but you should never “marry” the plastic in your wallet or purse. Find a top credit card offer and signup for one of the best credit cards, and try to maximize your benefits from that.