Should I pay only the minimum on credit cards?

CreditWarren TeamPublished April 25, 2026

Quick answer

No, minimums are designed to keep you in debt for decades. A $5,000 balance at 22% APR with 2% minimums takes 28 years and costs ~$13,000 to pay off. Pay in full each month or as much as you can.

Minimum payment trap: $5K balance over 28 years.

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