You have worked hard and paid off that credit card. Now you can start shopping again, right? Hopefully that is not the choice you make. You will be right back where you started. Here are some other options.
*Some financial advisors say that if you keep your credit card but don't use them they can boost your credit scores. That may be the case. But an empty credit card lying around the house may be quite tempting.
This could also backfire if an identity thief gets his hands on your card number, because you might not detect fraud until it's too late if you're not inspecting your bills as closely as you did when you used the cards.
*If you are disciplined you could use the card every now and then to keep it active and boost your credit scores. But the temptation would really be there to keep spending until you reach the limit. Then you are back in debt and that is the last place you want to be.
* Close all accounts except for the one with the lowest interest rate, and use it sparingly. This is a popular option. It allows you to have a card to use in case you really need it and to improve your credit rating, yet you don't have multiple cards tempting you.
But even when you only have access to one credit card, it's possible to get into more debt than you can handle. If you're offered a credit limit increase, turn it down.
*If you don't trust your ability to control your spending it is best to close all your credit card accounts and not have access to credit. This may seem a bit extreme but it is better than going back into debt.
The latter should be a last resort because credit cards are helpful in building good credit. They can help improve your financial situation by helping you obtain low interest rate loans when you need them.
