<prompt> Human: I am just unclear on how my credit score is affected by not using the card at all. It is a Visa rewards card issued through my local credit union and I have brought the 5k balance down to 3,500 since late last year and will have it entirely paid off by July 2,600 tax return and a few more big payments coming.Since I pay for monthly expenses from my debit card 90 Verizon, 50 Comcast, 125 Groceries, 100 Gas, etc I am wondering if I should start making these payments on my credit card to rebuild the score and pay them off plus the additional 200 I am paying monthly anyway. My logic is that I am paying the money anyway, I might as well consolidate it onto the Visa card and rack up some rewards points and build creditI am just unsure whether this will help or hurt my score if I am still carrying a balance of over 3k. Should I just wait until the card is completely paid off to move towards using it for bill payment? I was recently able to cash in a bunch of rewards points for a 25 dollar restaurant gift card and had seen that I had another 50-75 in points expire this past year. Just dont want to be missing out on any free money or rewards while I am working towards my goal!Thanks for the help!  <response>: Wait until it is paid off. You lose more in interest than gained in rewards.Youre already using your credit card. 