[abbys2cents]

Does anyone else pass on opening charge accounts even when the store offers discounts and freebies? I do because I've always heard that it can negatively affect your credit score. I might make an exception if they offered me a great deal such as a $50 gift certificate with no strings attached. Otherwise, I just say "no thanks."

[jason]

I do not thinking opening accounts hurts, it is more of the closing the account strangely enough.

I do not use store cards, unless you count my It just gets to be too much if I start with store cards.

[SarahSays]

Part of your credit score is your debt to credit limit ratio. I guess that's why closing an account could hurt your score. If you had a zero balance, it would work against your debt to credit ratio no matter what your dollar limit was on that account. That's my take on it anyway.

I've heard that applying for too many accounts can hurt your credit score, but not opening one.