How many credit cards should I have and what kind?
612020
The more you have, the more open credit you have which lending companies like. As long as you can pay them all off monthly (the best way to use credit cards) you can have as many as you want. I'd say optimal number would be 3-4. Those should be:\n1 visa\n1 mastercard\n1 discover\n1 american express\nThis way you can pay at any location that accepts any type of credit card. I'd also recommend cards that give you bonuses like cash back (discover and american express) or airline miles (all of them).
1140894
I own three but rarely use them and if I do its to establish and improve my credit. I use my ATM/debit card as a credit card for larger purchases. Your personal credit is used for insurance rates, jobs as well as many other purposes. :)
135929
40? that's a LOT!  you definitly don't need that many.  but it's good to keep at least a few open for the long haul.  Closing down accounts isn't THAT bad - but it's not good either.  What you need to do is get a couple cards that you really like and hang on them for the remainder of your time on earth...\n\nSounds silly - but it's true.  Your credit is built one year on another on another - year after year your history will keep going.  Think of it as buildings - you can have a whole lot of little one story buildings around (many closed cards) - they won't grow your history - they stop meaning anything when they are closed down..  Or you can have two really tall ones... (tall corasponding to many years of history - each story can be each year that goes by) When you keep the same card open - you are in effect building a tall building - when you are in good standing for many years and decades this is what makes your credit score grow.  closing accounts - closes your credit history down.  Open cards lets it continue to grow year after year.
113977
Get a store credit card and use it.  Don't build up a big credit balance, but pay off the balance on a monthly basis, on time.  Pay all your bills on time.  Don't carry a big balance on any credit card, and don't have too many credit cards.  Establish a history of paying your bills on time, even your phone bill and electric bill.
683981
Apply for a Discover card with a credit limit of $200; limit your use of it to $100 a month.  You will get credit for spending as you use it so you are not just spending money but getting something in return.\n\nAlso, go to your bank. Most banks have credit cards that they offer depositors; just make sure you tell them you want one with a limit on it.  Asking for a credit limit will demonstrate to them that you are responsible and credit savy.
1172968
First off, each credit card is different. Many have a higher minimum amount you need to pay each month. They all have completely different interest rates. My advice is not to put anything on a credit card that you can't immediately pay off. Otherwise you'll get bombarded with interest rates. There's really no reason to put $20 on a credit card. Why not get a debit card instead. It's linked to your checking/savings accounts and will only let you spend what you have available.
458229
Any credit card that has a low FIXED interest rate such as Prime +2.5% and no annual fee. I do not recommend American Express and Discover just because they have limited usage. VISA and MASTERCARD are accepted everywhere in the world and have friendly programs and rules. The best to get a credit card is through a credit union. Moreover, if you are looking to build credit, you have to get a secured credit card/loan and might need to pay a yearly fee but just for 6 months. After that you can apply for any card you want but be conservative. The less cards you have the better your credit will be - providing you have a line open. Hope this suffice.
607534
It would be good for you to start understanding how credit cards work and learn the discipline of managing it properly. Your parents could probably get you a card with a very small starting limit of $50-100 max. It would help you get under way with a credit history and also understand the penalties that you could get with overdraft and late payments. Go for it, but cautiously
803028
Too many cards will hurt your credit rating.  They look at your available limits (i.e. what you could borrow); if it's too high, the rating is lower.\n\nThey look at payment history.  Just have one or two cards, use them for purchases, and pay them off regularly.  That will build your credit history and resultant credit rating.
528743
Get rid of all but one card.  Consolidate everything into one.  The credit agencies will give you better marks for having one credit card under control, than 3 cards out of control.\n\nSell the cars and buy something you can afford.\n\nLive beneath your means, not beyond them.  Make a budget and stick with it!
856224
Your credit is generally based (in part) on how much credit you have available to you (i.e. how much money you can access via credit).  Because of this, having more accounts generally raises your credit.  However, if you have LOTS of cards, some banks will feel you have "too much" credit.  It depends on how many accounts you have open.  If it's 5 or less, I would leave it open (as long as you won't use it and rack up more debt. If you it may pose a problem in that you might be tempted to use the card, then close the account.)
574075
When you pay your credit card bill you have an option to either pay:\n\na. Full Balance (which I would recommend)\nb. Anything above minimum payment\nc. Minimum Payment - this is the smallest amount you can pay for that particular month.  Note that when you pay minimum payments you are not just paying for the item you are also paying interest charge, which makes your purchase more expensive.  That's why its better to pay it all at once.
597249
Either would be OK if you need another credit card. I would check the benefits of any card before I just got one.
67882
A lot of factors play into your credit rating.  Generally, it is good to HAVE two or three credit cards.  You will actually lose points on your credit rating if you don't have any credit cards, or if you have more than four.  Another way to build your credit with those cards is to use them sparingly and always pay on time.  You credit report will show every time you made a late payment to a credit card co., mortgage co., or anyone that you owe. So... in answer to your question, two cards is better than one, but no more than three.
1129952
its fine. as long as you pay them regularly (i pay mine in full everytime so that i dont have to pay interest), you'll have perfectly fine credit, whether you have 2 or 200.
730837
You need a good secured credit card or possibly two. \n\nRead this article to help you understand what type of accounts can help ... http://www.expert-credit-advice.com/building_credit.htm\n\n\n\nAlso make sure you read the part about piggybacking!
1089731
http://www.creditcard321.com/\nBut be careful when getting a credit card, period.\nGet one only for emergencies or don't get one at all. The debt thing in america is out of control.