> > > My understanding is that having a card and never using it IS actually good for your credit rating. I've been told it's a good idea, when you're a teenager, to have a credit card that you're not allowed to use, as then you get credit when you may need it later. But I don't have any evidence to support this theory, and I don't even really know where this impression originated. And, for all I know, if it were once true, it may not be anymore.
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> Having one or two cards and not using them is fine. But potential creditors will also look at how often and with whom you've applied for credit, too. Each time you apply, and inquiry is added to your credit record, so potential creditors can see exactly how many things you've asked for, and they pay attention to that and compare it to how many things you've actually gotten. For some reason, those inquiries count against you, too.
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> Also, having one or two cards and not using them shows up as exactly that. Both your high balance (zero in this case) and your current balance are shown on your credit report. Potential creditors can see that they really have no basis upon which to judge how well you pay, just as if you had never had a card in the first place.

This sort of matches with how I thought it worked. It makes sense, I suppose, that applying for cards could hurt your credit rating. Especially if you don't have a good income at the time.

> As next-to-oldest living Rinkie, I feel justified in offering the advice that your credit is nothing to play games with.

I can certainly agree with that. Well, you have my word: I'll be careful.

winter"I can be careful, you know"mute