If you have credit card debt, you probably scan your statement for the minimum payment and think, “Great—that’s all I owe this month.”
It’s true, when you make minimum payments you won’t accrue late fees and you’ll stay in good standing with your lender but there’s more going on under the surface.
Making minimum payments may feel responsible, but they are actually a trap that turns debt repayment into a long, costly slog.
What are Minimum Payments
Minimum payments are the lowest possible amount you can pay on credit card debt to keep the account current. The amounts vary, but lenders usually set minimums at 1–4 percent of your balance, with a floor of around $25 to $30.
Because average interest rates are higher than they used to be, more lenders are requiring that you pay a certain amount above the interest to guarantee that a part of your monthly payment goes toward the principal.
Why Minimum Payments Are a Trap
When you have high-interest debt (anything over 20% APR) minimum payments are a trap because most of what you pay goes toward interest – meaning your debt isn’t getting smaller.
Instead, it’s like paying rent on your debt. You pay faithfully every month, for the privilege of carrying around your balance without late fees or other penalties. Unlike an apartment, it’s not something you get to enjoy or use, but rather a heavy burden that’s costing you hundreds of dollars a month.
The True Cost of Minimum Payments
For example, if you had $6,140 in credit-card debt (the national household average) at an APR of 20.13% (the national average rate), your minimum payment (3 % of the balance) would start at about $184.
After one year of making minimum payments, your balance falls from $6,140 to about $5,442—a principal reduction of only $698—while you’ve paid $1,395 in interest.
If you stay on this path, you’d make about 236 monthly payments—over 17 years—and pay $13,426—including $7,286 in interest.
About our math: These numbers were calculated with the Forbes minimum payment calculator using the national household average credit card debt ($6,140), the national average APR (20.13%) and a 3% minimum payment. Our example doesn’t include a $25 floor as the balances progresses to zero.
Why it takes so long and cost you more…
With a 3% of balance minimum payment, most of each payment will go to compound interest each month, so the balance barely budges.
How to Avoid The Minimum Payment Trap
If you’re thinking of charging a new purchase or taking on personal loan debt? Avoid the minimum payment trap by asking yourself: can I afford to pay more than the minimum?
If the answer is no, reconsider the purchase.
If you can only afford the minimum payment, you probably can’t afford the debt. To really reduce what you owe, you must pay well above that amount. Even an extra $25 or $50 each month shifts more toward principal and speeds up your payoff timeline.
Already Struggling With Your Minimum Payments? Try This.
If you’re already stuck in a minimum-payment trap, professional help can get you back on track.
Talking to a Consolidation Specialist about debt consolidation options is a great place to start. They can review your situation, explain your options, help you find a plan that will break you out of the minimum payment trap and give you a clear timeline for your debt.