Is it a good idea to fill out every credit offer I get? Isn't that like money in the bank, to have credit available, even if I don't need it now?
No, it is definitely not a good idea to apply for all the credit you are offered for two reasons. First, having too much credit at your disposal can give you a false sense of security and cause you to spend money that you don't really have. Remember, credit is not cash; it is a loan that must be paid back. Second, you could be turned down for a car loan or a mortgage if it appears that you have more credit than you can handle. Even if you aren't using the credit you have available, creditors assume that you could use it at a moment's notice. So potential creditors consider all your available credit when evaluating any new applications for credit.
Why should I limit the amount of credit I have?
You want to be certain you only use the credit you need and can afford to manage. Otherwise, you can get into credit problems by using more credit than you can pay for. This could lead to late or missed payments, which will weaken your credit history.