The honest numbers for a $5,000 credit card balance at 18% APR, by monthly payment. While you decide, the balance costs about $2.47 per day in interest.
| Monthly payment | Time to $0 | Total interest | Total paid |
|---|---|---|---|
| $125/mo | 5 years 2 months | $2,693 | $7,693 |
| $175/mo | 3 years 2 months | $1,578 | $6,578 |
| $225/mo | 2 years 4 months | $1,128 | $6,128 |
| $250/mo | 2 years | $989 | $5,989 |
| $325/mo | 1 year 6 months | $728 | $5,728 |
Assumes no new charges and a fixed APR. Estimates only — not financial advice.
Run your exact numbers in the free calculatorOr track it live with bank sync — your first card is free at paydown.proAbout $2.47 per day in interest — roughly $74 a month before you've paid for anything new.
Every dollar above the minimum goes entirely to the balance. Moving from $125/mo to $325/mo cuts the payoff from 5 years 2 months to 1 year 6 months and saves $1,965 in interest.