FMOOD 0312: Don't Cut Those Credit Cards Just Yet!

You don't want to cut up those credit cards just yet, even if you are getting out of debt. The primary reason is because of the hit your credit score might take. You'll want to at least take this into consideration because a healthy credit score is still important.

 

Of course, if you're someone who may go back to bad habits once you have paid down or paid off your credit cards by charging more and getting yourself back into the same predicament, then by all means, close the accounts. It's more of a question of whether or not you trust yourself, and only you can truly answer that question. Even if your credit score does take a hit, the good news is that it likely will only be a temporary hit. You should eventually recover as you continue to move forward with your debt payoff strategy, but you'll want to keep an eye on things over the next several months once you begin closing credit card accounts.

 

For the others who have a good level of control over their spending habits and who have learned their lesson by being burned once already, I don't see any reason to close credit card accounts and take the credit score hit because of it. Credit scores aren't just about getting access to credit. Credit scores are also important in determining what you'll pay for insurance, refinancing your home, and in some situations, whether or not a prospective employer may hire you. They really are crucial, and anyone who tells you otherwise is not guiding you properly.

 

At the end of the day, it is up to you, your level of comfort, and your own unique financial situation. There's no cookie-cutter approach to personal finance, so take the time to determine what's best for you. The bottom line is that the common goal for all of us is to get out of debt and one day get into prosperity. God bless.