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If You Had To Choose..................

June 6th, 2007 at 10:55 pm

I will give you a purely "hypothetical" situation (and by hypothetical, I mean my exact situation) and ya'll tell me what you would do.

I have about $2,600 in credit debt that is being charged 0% interest and will continue to do so until January of 2008.

If you had $400 of discretionary income each month to either pay this credit card down or put into a savings account earning 5% what would you do?

Credit Cards: How Many Is Too Many?

June 5th, 2007 at 07:28 pm

Seeing as how we are in the midst of a "national savings epidemic", I started looking at my savings habits (which are rapidly improving) and my usage of credit cards.

I opened my 1st credit card 7 years ago, at the age of 18. Of course, my parents said that it was only to be used for emergencies. Apparently my college brain decided midnight pizza and beer was an emergency becasue I quickly racked up $5,000 in debt on that card (which i have since paid off). Being a serious golfer, I was able to take advantage of the "Golf Digest Rewards" that were offered with the card. I currently pay 13.99% on this card, but rarely incur an interest charge as I pay it off monthly.

I opened my 2nd card at the end of 2006 when I received a "0% interest for a year!" offer in the mail. I bought myself a new set of golf clubs, as well as financing trips to S.F. to see the girlfriend. On this card I earn points towards various stores and restaurants. I hope to have this paid off by the end of the 0% period in December.

Just this month I opened my 3rd card an American Express Rotarian World Points card, which donates $1 to the local Rotary for every dollar I spend. I also earn 1 "World Point" for every $1 I spend, which goes to Travel Rewards. i have 0% interest until April 2008.

So as it stands now, I have 3 credit cards with a total of $2,800 outstanding debt that is being charged zero interest. The $2,800 represents 11% of my total available credit. I have no plans to open any more credit cards. 3 is enough for me!!

What is everyone's experience with too many credit cards or not enough credit cards?