The couple saved almost 500k on 15 credit cards with no debt

15 credit cards may seem like a lot, but Air Force officers Quinn and Brittney Sturgis use them strategically to earn perks and build credit — one of the disciplined habits that helped them save. almost $500,000 in the 20s

“We never carry a balance,” says Quinn, a 30-year-old pilot. “Any balance paid in the previous billing period is paid before the next billing cycle.”

By doing so, they avoid interest charges while taking advantage of their card’s benefits, including cash-back rewards, air miles and upgrades on flights or hotels.

The couple was stationed at Travis Air Force Base in California. Less frequently, the couple uses their Costco card for gas and their Hilton Honors Card for hotel reservations.

As active duty military service members, they waive annual fees on their premium cards, keeping costs down and making it easy to maximize rewards.

Aside from income, the benefits of travel often cover significant costs. “We do a lot of family trips that pay for points,” says Quinn, whose last business class flight from San Francisco to London is fully covered by the airlines.

These advantages help them stretch their budget. About 30% of the income was set aside for investments.

The ability of couples to manage so many credit cards is impressive, says Betsy Hutchins, Certified Financial Planner in Tennessee. “I used credit cards for their ability to maximize their benefits,” he explains. “Kudos for paying monthly.”

Carrying a significant balance can lead to high-interest debt – especially with rates Average over 20% – Credit cards offer advantages over debit cards. These are stronger protections such as fraud and easy fraud and easy charging cases, making it a smart choice for everyday expenses. It can also be a large credit limit Help improve your credit score.

That said, carrying 15 cards “isn’t for everyone,” says Noah Damsky, A CFP in Los Angeles.

While Quinn and Brittney effectively maximize financial rewards, “those last few credit card points” are squeezed “from a practical standpoint, it’s perfect for tracking because of the pain,” he notes.

And managing 15 credit cards — which Quinn refers to as a “hobby” — requires significant organizational and financial discipline, which not everyone is up to.

The Stangis family is “very disciplined in the way they use consumer credit,” it takes “a lot of willpower and a lot of grit to maintain 15 credit cards with constant balances,” Hutchin says.

For most people, he recommends carrying no more than four credit cards. Otherwise, it gets “hairy” for a typical lender.

But, “Obviously, the ostriches are not typical, which has worked for them,” says Hutchins.

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