I have one card I use for most times when I need a credit card. It's from my credit union and has a very low interest rate with a small limit on it. I pay it off monthly.

BUT, I have 5 of those no limit cards in the safe. I take each one out once every three months on a rotating basis and charge something small on them. This keeps them in the mix, if you don't use them they get cancelled.

When the old man was waiting for disability to kick in and he had no medical coverage, these cards saved us. We bought meds, paid doctors, paid the child support, and used them for when we absolutely had to pay a bill or needed groceries.

When his disability kicked in we paid every one of them off and put them away.

I may be careful with credit but I realize the value of having good credit. My FICO is close to the top of the scale and I intend to keep it there, just in case I'm next. I want to be able to tap home equity without any problems, and have money if and when I end up waiting for disability to kick in. I have a disability policy, but after everything I read about people filing for their short and long term disability and being on hold for over a year or the insurance company refusing you after taking your money for so long, it's always good to have a backup!