The One-Card Strategy: How Lauren Uses a Single Card to Grow Her Score
Lauren was overwhelmed.
She had five credit cards, all with balances. Three of them had annual fees. One was in collections. She wasn’t behind on payments — yet — but she felt like she was spinning plates.
“I can’t keep track,” she said. “Every month is a mess.”
So we made a radical choice: we closed four of her cards (carefully), kept one, and rebuilt her entire credit game around that single account.
Why the One-Card Strategy Works
Most people think they need more cards to build credit. But that’s not true.
What matters is:
- On-time payments
- Low utilization
- Age of credit
- Responsible activity
You can demonstrate all of that with one well-managed card.
Lauren’s Card of Choice
We picked her oldest, fee-free Visa card with a $1,200 limit. Why?
- Age: 6 years old
- No annual fee
- Already in good standing
We closed two store cards (new, low limits), and one secured card with a $29 fee. The fourth was in collections, already hurting her.
The Routine That Changed Her Score
Lauren did three simple things every month:
- Put one recurring charge on the card (Netflix, $15/month)
- Paid it in full before the statement date
- Didn’t use the card for anything else
That’s it.
By month 4, her utilization was under 2%, her payment history stayed perfect, and her score rose 34 points.
“But Doesn’t Closing Cards Hurt?”
Yes — but not always.
Closing new or unused cards with low limits has minimal impact, especially if you keep your oldest card open.
In Lauren’s case, removing those confusing extra cards helped her focus — and her finances thanked her.
A Year Later
Lauren still uses one card. Her score is now in the 730s. She’s debt-free, stress-free, and in control.
“I used to feel like credit controlled me,” she told me. “Now I control it.”
Who Should Try This?
✅ People who get overwhelmed by managing multiple cards
✅ Those with 1–2 solid cards and a few bad ones
✅ Anyone who values clarity over complexity
You don’t need five cards and fancy tricks.
You need one you trust — and a routine you follow.
Simple credit. Real results.