Paying $450 a month on $15,000 at 22% APR clears the card in 4 years and 4 months and costs $8,394 in interest.
A $15,000 balance at 22% APR paid down at $450 a month takes 4 years and 4 months to clear, and you hand the card issuer $8,394 in interest along the way — $23,394 paid in total. The first month alone costs $275 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 3 years and 3 months instead and saves $2,409 in interest. The calculator below is set to $15,000 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 |
|---|---|---|
| $450 | 4 years and 4 months | $8,394 |
| $600 | 2 years and 10 months | $5,250 |
| $750 | 2 years and 2 months | $3,857 |
| $1,200 | 15 months | $2,195 |
| $1,500 | 12 months | $1,723 |