Let's say you opened a new credit card because it had a great introductory offer, but you stopped using it after you earned the reward. What happens next? If you don’t use your credit card, the card issuer may close your account., You are also more susceptible to fraud if you aren't vigilant about checking up on the inactive card, and fraudulent charges can affect your credit rating and finances. While not much happens if you don’t use your credit card for a month, you should consider closing an account if you plan to let it sit idle indefinitely.

If you want to keep your card account active, it's best to occasionally use the card and check your statements every month for fraudulent charges. The key is to strike a balance somewhere between using the card too little and using it too much. One way to keep the card modestly active is to make a single, regular charge on the card. For example, Dlugozima suggests using the card to pay a monthly cable or cellphone bill. "Set up some sort of automated charge on the cards you are not using," he says. "In essence, what that's doing is keeping that activity happening." Jacob recommends a similar approach to her clients, and says she and her spouse even use this tactic in their own lives. "We have one credit card that we use just for gas."