The honest numbers for a $5,000 credit card balance at 25% APR, by monthly payment. While you decide, the balance costs about $3.42 per day in interest.
| Monthly payment | Time to $0 | Total interest | Total paid |
|---|---|---|---|
| $125/mo | 7 years 3 months | $5,862 | $10,862 |
| $175/mo | 3 years 8 months | $2,677 | $7,677 |
| $225/mo | 2 years 7 months | $1,784 | $6,784 |
| $250/mo | 2 years 3 months | $1,535 | $6,535 |
| $325/mo | 1 year 7 months | $1,091 | $6,091 |
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 $3.42 per day in interest — roughly $103 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 7 years 3 months to 1 year 7 months and saves $4,771 in interest.