Top Five Credit Card Myths That Often Lead to Confusion and Missed Opportunities
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Myth #1: Too Many Credit Cards is Bad for Your Score
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People often think having lots of credit cards is bad for your credit score. But that's not always true! If you use your cards wisely, like paying on time and not using too much of your available credit, having multiple cards can actually help your score. It shows you're good at managing credit.
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Myth #2: Closing a Credit Card Boosts Your Score Right Away
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Some folks believe that closing a credit card will immediately make their credit score go up. However, that's not usually the case. Closing a card can affect how much credit you're using compared to what you have available, and it might even make your score go down a bit. If your card doesnβt have yearly fees and it helps your credit history, it might be better to keep it open.
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Myth #3: Keeping a Balance on Your Card Helps Your Credit
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There's a myth that leaving a balance on your credit card helps build your credit. But actually, you donβt need to pay interest by leaving a balance to have good credit. Paying off what you owe each month is the best strategy. This way, you show you're responsible with credit without paying extra money in interest.
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Myth #4: Maxing Out Cards for Rewards is Smart
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Chasing rewards by using all your available credit on a card might seem like a good idea, but it's risky. Using a lot of your credit can hurt your score and make it hard to pay back what you owe. Itβs better to use less of your available credit, like under 30%, to keep your score healthy and still get rewards.
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Myth #5: Applying for a Card Always Drops Your Score
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It's true that applying for a new card can slightly lower your score at first because of the credit check. But, this drop is usually small and temporary. If you're careful about how often you apply for new cards and manage them well, the small dip wonβt matter much compared to the benefits of having and using the card responsibly.
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P.S. You can see all my fave cards here. β