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Personal Finance and Investing

Happy Hoosier

(9,385 posts)

5. It varies by bureau a bit, but...

Reply to Beartracks (Original post)

Tue Dec 16, 2025, 09:41 AM

Dec 16

Generally, you ideally want total usage below 30% AND individual cards under 30%

As I understand it, total usage is more important than individual cards. I use a "luxury" travel card for work travel and sometimes have a carried "statement balance" (but I ALWAYS pay it off before I am hit with interest). Some trips can be expensive and pop the 30% limit. The hit on my score is modest, and corrects fairly quickly if I get it down again.

I've heard that keeping your reported balances below 10% usage is beneficial as well.

I USUALLY have statement balances at 0 and that has a modest positive benefit.

Unless you REALLY need the slightly higher score soon, the money you save on interest will be way more important than a modest ding to your score.

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New question: Credit score and credit card usage ratio [View all] Beartracks Dec 16 OP

I have a very high credit score. multigraincracker Dec 16 #1

good for you. however, zero effort toward any attempt in answering stopdiggin Dec 16 #3

Bankrate.com has a calculator which may help markodochartaigh Dec 16 #2

Thanks a lot for the link! Just used calculator- very handy. tazcat Dec 16 #7

Credit card to credit card MAY affect the score for a couple of weeks until the balances are reported. 3Hotdogs Dec 16 #4

As Dave Ramsey points out, if you have to put it on the card, or take out a loan for it, "YOU CAN'T AFFORD IT." Happy Hoosier Dec 16 #6

I see nothing wrong with the Ramsey plan. It is one of two --- pay high interest first or lowest balance first. 3Hotdogs Dec 16 #8

Dave Ramsey has a monetary worth of around $200 million. markodochartaigh Dec 16 #10

You're right, there. 3Hotdogs Dec 16 #11

Further thought, most of the people contacting Ramsey are in money trouble. They are stressed out. He gives them 3Hotdogs Dec 16 #9

It varies by bureau a bit, but... Happy Hoosier Dec 16 #5

Your last sentence is what I'm thinking. But... Beartracks Dec 16 #12

No big purchases waiting in the wings. Beartracks Dec 16 #13

Latest Discussions»Culture Forums»Personal Finance and Investing»New question: Credit scor...»Reply #5