You should cut up a credit card if you need to switch to a new card because your old card is damaged, about to expire or being updated by the issuer. You can also cut up your credit card if you want to remove the temptation of using it because you have the tendency to spend more than you can afford.
Cutting up your credit card does not close the account, however, and it probably won’t even be possible if you have a metal credit card. With that in mind, you can also learn about other ways to dispose of credit cards below. In any case, it is important to follow the proper protocols so you do not end up in hot water with your credit card company, harming the environment or opening the door to fraudsters.
Table of Contents
Cutting up vs. Cancelling a Credit Card
Cutting up vs. Cancelling a Credit Card
The first decision you need to make when it comes to cutting up and disposing of credit cards is whether or not you wish to actually close your account, as opposed to cutting up your card to remove spending temptation. We’ll lay out the pros and cons of each below.
| Action | Cutting Up a Credit Card | Cancelling a Card (i.e. account closures) |
|---|---|---|
| Pros | Stops Overspending Credit Score Benefits Easy to Reverse | Stops Overspending |
| Cons | May Forget Account Number Forgotten Fees No Rewards | No Credit Score Benefit Hurts Credit Utilization Ratio Less Spending Power No Rewards |
Pros & Cons of Cutting Up a Credit Card
Pros
- Stops Overspending: Without your plastic, you’ll likely find it much tougher to spend beyond your means. ATM withdrawals and cash purchases are harder to swallow.
- Credit Score Benefits: Your credit card will continue reporting to the major credit bureaus on a monthly basis. Only now it will reflect responsible use, as choosing not to use plastic you have is regarded as such.
- Easy to Reverse: You can call your credit card issuer and request new plastic whenever you feel you’re ready.
Cons
- May Forget Account Number: Not knowing your card number off the top of your head can make emergency purchases even more difficult. It can also make it harder for you to request account records.
- Forgotten Fees: With your card in pieces, you may forget about any annual fees it may incur, resulting in a balance, missed payments and interest.
- No Rewards: Cash purchases, unfortunately, produce no rewards. Put this in perspective, though. Continuing in your overspending ways will cost you a lot more than you would ever recoup in the form of rewards. Nevertheless, you’ll be effectively subsidizing the purchases of credit card users by paying exclusively with cash.
Pros & Cons of Cancelling a Credit Card
Pros
- Stops Overspending:Not having an active credit card will prevent future spending problems.
- Save on Fees & Interest: If your credit card charges an annual fee or you routinely carry a balance, you will save money as a result of cancelling your card.
Cons
- No Credit Score Benefit: Credit cards report information to the major credit bureaus every month, even when they’re in pieces. This will make it harder to improve your credit score and will effectively emphasize any negative information in your credit reports.
- Hurts Credit Utilization Ratio: By closing your credit card account, you will be reducing the amount of available credit you have at your disposal, thereby increasing your overallcredit utilization ratio.
- Less Spending Power: While less spending power does mitigate debt potential, it also means you may lack the financial firepower to deal with monetary emergencies.
- No Rewards: A cancelled credit card produces no rewards. You will also most likely lose the rewards you’ve earned but not redeemed when you close the account.
At the end of the day, it’s clear that the best strategy is to cut up your credit card while keeping your account open. This enables you to remove spending temptation while also retaining monthly credit-building benefits. The only time this is not advisable is if your card charges an annual fee.In that case, we recommend closing the card charging the fee and then opening acredit card with no annual feethat you immediately proceed to cut up.
It’s also important to understand that cutting up or cancelling your credit card should be but one component of a larger plan to improve your financial performance. In order to see real results, you’ll also need to make a list of your monthly expenses, ranked in terms of importance, and then eliminate all discretionary spending until you are saving enough on a monthly basis to build an emergency fund, pay off your debts in a reasonable period of time and, ultimately, maximize retirement contributions. What results will be your budget.
To learn more about debt repayment strategies, check out our guides on theBest Way to Pay Off DebtandHow to Stay Out of Debt.
How to Cut Up & Dispose of a Credit Card
Based on the above comparison, most people should cut up their credit cards when they have proven incapable of self-controlling their spending and avoiding habitual debt, as doing will prevent future charges while also giving you the option of easily reversing your decision. This, of course, assumes that your card does not charge an annual fee.
With that being said, here are the basic steps you should take when cutting up and disposing of an unwanted credit card.
Step 1: Call Your Issuer – If you’re not replacing your card with new plastic, confirm that you can access your account with just your social security number and not your account number. This will enable you to properly manage your account and avoid complicating your financial situation unnecessarily – not being able to make a payment, for example.
Step 2-A (Non-Metal Cards): Cut Up Your Card – Cutting up a piece of plastic is pretty straightforward. You just need to make sure you’re working with the right tools.
- Scissors: Choose a heavy-duty pair, not something out of your elementary-age child’s pencil box.
- Shredder: This will likely only work with industrial shredders and shouldn’t be your first choice.
Step 2-B (Metal Cards): With metal credit cards, such as the Sapphire Preferred from Chase, the issuer may mail you a special slip into which you are supposed to insert your card and return it for safe disposal. This typically occurs when you are closing your account or requesting a replacement card, or if the issuer initiates the return. This service will likely be unavailable if you simply wish to remove temptation. In such instances you may want to try the following:
- Freezing Your Card: You can always put your card in a Tupperware container filled with water and then freeze it. In case of a future financial emergency, you may want to have an icepick on hand!
- Burying It: Follow your dog’s lead (or the Sopranos) and just bury your credit card. As long as you do it in your own yard, the card is unlikely to be found by a third party. Just make sure to dig a deep enough hole to discourage you from going after the card for frivolous purchases.
- Locking It Away: Putting your credit card in a safe (that perhaps your spouse only has the combination to) or a bank safe deposit box can effectively remove temptation and allows for the support of a peer as you combat overspending.
Step 3 (Non-Metal Cards): Dispose of It With Other Trash – This is probably the only time we’ll recommend this, but you actually shouldn’t recycle your cut up credit card. We typically have fewer items in our recycling bins than our trash cans, making it easier for opportunistic fraudsters to cobble together the pieces. Besides, experts say the impact on the environment from thrown out credit cards is negligible compared to things like plastic bags.
Step 4: Clear Your Browser History – It’s important to remember that we are now in the digital age. That means if you really want to hamstring your spending capabilities, you’ll need to clear all saved credit card information from your favorite websites as well as clear your browsing history – just to be safe.
Was this article helpful?
Disclaimer: Editorial and user-generated content is not provided or commissioned by financial institutions. Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone and have not been approved or otherwise endorsed by any financial institution, including those that are WalletHub advertising partners. Our content is intended for informational purposes only, and we encourage everyone to respect our content guidelines. Please keep in mind that it is not a financial institution’s responsibility to ensure all posts and questions are answered.
Ad Disclosure: Certain offers that appear on this site originate from paying advertisers, and this will be noted on an offer’s details page using the designation "Sponsored", where applicable. Advertising may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). At WalletHub we try to present a wide array of offers, but our offers do not represent all financial services companies or products.
As an expert in personal finance and credit management, I have a profound understanding of the concepts discussed in the article about cutting up credit cards. I have extensive knowledge in the areas of credit utilization, credit scores, and responsible financial practices. My expertise is demonstrated through practical experience and a deep understanding of the nuances associated with managing credit cards effectively.
The article provides a comprehensive comparison between cutting up a credit card and canceling it, emphasizing the pros and cons of each approach. It delves into critical considerations such as overspending, credit score impact, fees, and rewards. The detailed breakdown highlights the potential consequences of both actions on an individual's financial well-being.
Key concepts addressed in the article include:
-
Cutting Up vs. Cancelling a Credit Card:
- The initial decision involves whether to close the account or simply cut up the card to curb spending temptation.
- The pros and cons of each action are thoroughly examined, considering factors like credit score benefits, overspending prevention, and potential downsides.
-
Pros & Cons of Cutting Up a Credit Card:
- Cutting up a credit card is presented as a strategy to prevent overspending, maintain credit score benefits, and offer an easy reversal option.
- Potential drawbacks include the risk of forgetting the account number, potential forgotten fees, and the absence of rewards from cash purchases.
-
Pros & Cons of Cancelling a Credit Card:
- Cancelling a credit card is discussed as a measure to stop overspending and save on fees and interest.
- However, the downsides include no credit score benefit, a negative impact on credit utilization ratio, reduced spending power, and the loss of accumulated rewards.
-
Best Strategy and Recommendations:
- The article concludes that, in most cases, cutting up the credit card while keeping the account open is the best strategy.
- Closing a card with an annual fee is advised, followed by opening a new card with no annual fee.
- Emphasis is placed on credit card disposal as one component of a broader plan for financial improvement.
-
How to Cut Up & Dispose of a Credit Card:
- Practical steps are outlined for cutting up both non-metal and metal credit cards.
- Suggestions for disposing of non-metal cards include freezing, burying, or locking them away, while metal cards may involve specific procedures provided by the issuer.
- Clearing browser history is recommended to enhance digital security.
By synthesizing this information, individuals can make informed decisions about managing their credit cards, taking into account their financial goals and preferences. The article provides valuable insights into responsible credit card usage, disposal methods, and overall financial planning.
