Utilize no more than 10% of your credit in order to have balance in your life.  This is the advise according to a recent article on CNN.  Funny, this runs very similiar to Biblical prinicipals about the 10% rule. The premise, if you have a $10,000 credit limit, carry no more than $1,000 in debt at any give time.  Pretty step considering the average consumer carries a debt balance of $8,000.  Note, this does not reflect student loans, mortgages, or other large ticket items.  Just good ole consumer debt.