Credit card debt can feel overwhelming The interest charges keep adding up, and it can seem impossible to make progress on paying down the balance This is where credit card payoff calculators come in handy. These online tools help you see exactly how long it will take to become debt-free, while accounting for variables like interest rates, minimum payments, and extra payments.
I’ve used credit card payoff calculators from American Express Bankrate, and other financial sites. While they all operate a bit differently their core purpose is the same – to give you clarity on your path to being credit card debt-free. In this article, I’ll walk through the key features of these payoff calculators so you can start mapping out your debt freedom plan.
How Credit Card Payoff Calculators Work
Credit card payoff calculators take information about your current balance, interest rate, and payment amounts to estimate a payoff timeframe. Here are some of the key inputs:
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Current balance – This is your total credit card balance right now.
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Interest rate – The annual percentage rate (APR) on your card. This affects how much interest gets charged each month.
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Minimum payment – The minimum amount you must pay on your bill each month. This is usually a percentage of the balance, such as 2%.
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Extra payment – Any amount you voluntarily pay above the minimum each month to accelerate payoff.
The calculator combines these factors to estimate how many months it will take to reach a $0 balance. Some calculators also show you how much interest you’ll pay in total at your current pace.
Advanced versions allow you to model different payment scenarios to see how it impacts your payoff timeframe. For instance, you can see how paying an extra $100 or $200 per month accelerates the process.
Bankrate Credit Card Payoff Calculator
One of the most robust and customizable payoff calculators is available at Bankrate.com. I like this tool because it lets you input multiple credit cards to view consolidated payoff timeframes.
To use it, you enter your current balance, interest rate, and minimum payment for each of your credit cards. You can then adjust the “additional payment” number to model paying extra each month.
The calculator shows your payoff time in months, total interest paid, and a month-by-month breakdown of balances. It even forecasts how much you’ll save in interest costs by paying more each month.
This granular detail helps you make the best payment strategy. For instance, you may find that paying an extra $50 per month takes off an entire year from your payoff timeline and saves hundreds in interest. Understanding this can motivate you to cut expenses elsewhere to free up the extra cash.
Forbes Advisor Payoff Calculator
The Forbes Advisor credit card payoff calculator provides a simple, one-card estimate. Just plug in your current balance, APR, and how much extra you can pay monthly above the minimum.
The tool tells you how many months it will take to pay off the balance, along with the total interest paid. A chart shows your outstanding balance declining each month.
While not as robust as Bankrate’s version, this calculator is handy for quick “what-if” scenarios. For example, you can instantly see that paying an extra $200 per month pays off a $5,000 balance in 26 months, while $100 extra per month takes 41 months.
American Express Plan It Calculator
American Express cardholders have access to the proprietary Plan It calculator. This estimates payoff times for purchases placed on an Amex installment plan.
When you make an eligible purchase over $100, Amex lets you split repayment from 3 to 24 months through Plan It, for a monthly fee. This can help you pay for large purchases over time without paying interest.
The Plan It calculator lets you model installment plans. Input a purchase amount, then see monthly payment options for different durations. It shows the fee per duration, total fee paid, and completion date.
This is useful for picking an affordable monthly payment on big purchases. Just remember that Plan It only applies to specific new Amex charges – not existing balances.
How to Make the Most of Payoff Calculators
Here are some tips to use credit card payoff tools effectively:
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Consolidate information – Compile details on all your cards – balances, rates, minimums. This gives the full picture.
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Model scenarios – See how extra payments of $50, $100, or $200 per month impact payoff times. Find the “sweet spot” extra amount.
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Re-check occasionally – Revisit the calculator every few months to account for new charges and payments. Make sure you’re still on pace.
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Motivate yourself – Watching balances and payoff dates decline can incentivize you to stick to your accelerated repayment plan.
Take Control of Your Debt
Credit card debt can be disempowering, making you feel like you’ll be stuck paying it off forever. But payoff calculators put you back in the driver’s seat.
Armed with payoff estimates, you can build momentum and attack debt aggressively. As you get wins under your belt, it energizes you to keep attacking the balance until the sweet day the calculator shows $0 left to pay.
The road to becoming debt-free starts with a solid plan. Crunch the numbers with a payoff calculator today so you can take deliberate action towards financial freedom.
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How To Pay Off Credit Card Debt
There are several approaches to paying off credit card debt. The simplest way for those who have the funds available is to pay off the entire balance in one lump sum. But for those who have debt that feels unmanageable, making a plan is the best way to start.
Two popular approaches are the debt snowball method and the debt avalanche method. With the snowball method you’ll pay off the card with the smallest balance first, then move on to the second card with the next-smallest amount and repeat until the debts are paid off. Some find this way gives them the psychological boost they need to stick to their debt repayment plan.
With the avalanche method, you’ll make the biggest payments to the card that has the highest interest rate. This may take you longer than the snowball approach, but over time you’ll pay less interest.
One other approach is a debt consolidation loan, which is where you take out a new, lower interest loan and use it to pay off existing debts. Then you have just one monthly payment to make at a lower interest rate.
How do you calculate your credit card payoff date?
To find your credit card due date, consult your statement. Since your payoff date will depend on how much you pay each month beyond the minimum, you’ll choose your payoff date in our calculator above by inputting the desired number of months to pay down the debt.
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FAQ
How long would it take to repay a $2000 credit card debt at a 19% interest rate by making only the minimum required payment of $25 month?
How long does it take to pay off a $4000 credit card?
Will American Express settle debt?
How do I pay off my American Express card?
Select a qualifying purchase of at least $100 (or eligible amounts of $100 or more), then combine them into a plan. Choose one of the payment options American Express offers, which will include information on the plan duration and plan fee. Pay off your purchases according to the plan and the repayment schedule required.
What is American Express Pay It plan it?
Pay It Plan It are two payment features available for eligible American Express cardmembers. The features provide an alternative to traditional card payment methods. Pay It allows cardmembers to make smaller payments throughout the month on specific transactions. Plan It splits larger purchases into a monthly payment plan with a fixed monthly fee.
How does pay it work on American Express?
Use Pay It to pay off small purchases of under $100 throughout the month, reducing your total balance. Purchases eligible for Pay It will have a small icon next to them in your American Express account. Payments made with this feature are counted toward the minimum due on your credit card statement.
How do I pay off a purchase on Amex?
Here’s a basic rundown. In your Amex account, pay off small purchases that have the Pay It icon. You can pay off up to five purchases per day with this feature. Your payment counts toward your outstanding balance and monthly minimum payment due.