Paying $225 a month on $7,500 at 22% APR clears the card in 4 years and 4 months and costs $4,197 in interest.
A $7,500 balance at 22% APR paid down at $225 a month takes 4 years and 4 months to clear, and you hand the card issuer $4,197 in interest along the way — $11,697 paid in total. The first month alone costs $138 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 2 years and 7 months instead and saves $1,857 in interest. The calculator below is set to $7,500 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 |
|---|---|---|
| $225 | 4 years and 4 months | $4,197 |
| $300 | 2 years and 10 months | $2,625 |
| $375 | 2 years and 2 months | $1,929 |
| $600 | 15 months | $1,097 |
| $750 | 12 months | $862 |