Utilize your financial knowledge, give your answer or opinion to the input question or subject . Answer format is not limited.

Optimal way to use a credit card to build better credit?
I answered a similar question, How will going from 75% Credit Utilization to 0% Credit Utilization affect my credit score?, in which I show a graph of how utilization impacts your score.  In another answer to Should I keep a credit card open to maintain my credit score?, I discuss the makeup of your score.  From your own view at Credit Karma, you can see that age of accounts will help your score, so now is the time to get the right cards and stay with them.  My background is technology (electrical engineer) and MBA with a concentration in finance. I'm not a Psychology major. If one is undisciplined, credit can destroy them. If one is disciplined, and pays in full each month, credit is a tool.  The quoting of billionaires is a bit disingenuous. I've seen people get turned away at hotels for lack of a credit card. $1000 in cash would not get them into a $200/night room. Yes, a debit card can be used, but the rental car and hotel "reserve" a large amount on the card, so if you don't have a high balance, you may be out of town and out of luck.  I'll quote another oft-quoted guru: "no one gets rich on credit card rewards." No, but I'm on track to pay for my 13 year old's last semester in college with the rewards from a card that goes right into her account. It will be great to make that withdrawal and not need to take the funds from anywhere else. The card has no fee, and I've not paid them a dime in interest.  By the way, with 1-20% utilization ideal, you want your total available credit to be 5X the highest monthly balance you'd every hit.  Last - when you have a choice between 2% cash reward, and the cash discount Kevin manages, take the discount, obviously.