Paying $30 a month on $1,000 at 22% APR clears the card in 4 years and 4 months and costs $560 in interest.
A $1,000 balance at 22% APR paid down at $30 a month takes 4 years and 4 months to clear, and you hand the card issuer $560 in interest along the way — $1,560 paid in total. The first month alone costs $18 in interest before a cent goes to the balance.
Paying more shortens this dramatically. Adding just $100 a month to that payment clears the card in 9 months instead and saves $472 in interest. The calculator below is set to $1,000 at 22% — change the rate and payment to match your card.
At 22% APR, with no new purchases on the card.
| Monthly payment | Time to pay off | Total interest |
|---|---|---|
| $30 | 4 years and 4 months | $560 |
| $40 | 2 years and 10 months | $350 |
| $50 | 2 years and 2 months | $257 |
| $80 | 15 months | $146 |
| $100 | 12 months | $115 |