Over time, only paying the minimum balance can negatively affect your credit score as the balance you carry affects your credit utilization ratio, which accounts for about 30% of your score.
The 15/3 rule, a trending credit card repayment method, suggests paying your credit card bill in two payments—both 15 days and 3 days before your payment due date. Proponents say it helps raise credit scores more quickly, but there's no real proof. Building credit takes time and effort.
You should always try your best to pay your statement balance in full to avoid fees and interest, your current balance shows your recent spending.
Paying only the minimum repayment amount each month means you'll usually incur interest over time. This will significantly increase your costs, and will extend the time it takes to pay off your total. Most credit cards come with an interest free period on purchases.
Use the debt snowball method
In order to use this method, list all of your credit card debts from lowest balance to highest balance. Now start concentrating on wiping out the credit card with the lowest balance while still making the minimum payments on the other cards. The point of this strategy is to build momentum.
Paying only the minimum amount means: it takes you longer to pay off your balance. you pay more interest.
Let's say your credit card balance is ₹20,000, and your interest rate is 18% p.a. (1.5% per month). If you only pay a ₹800 minimum each month, it will take you 32 months to repay the debt. Further, you'll pay ₹5,411 in interest!
While the term "deadbeat" generally carries a negative connotation, when it comes to the credit card industry, it's a compliment. Card issuers refer to customers as deadbeats if they pay off their balance in full each month, avoiding interest charges and fees on their accounts.
The Takeaway
The 15/3 credit card payment rule is a strategy that involves making two payments each month to your credit card company. You make one payment 15 days before your statement is due and another payment three days before the due date.
There are some differences around how the various data elements on a credit report factor into the score calculations. Although credit scoring models vary, generally, credit scores from 660 to 724 are considered good; 725 to 759 are considered very good; and 760 and up are considered excellent.
Funds Transfer Rules — MSBs must maintain certain information for funds transfers, such as sending or receiving a payment order for a money transfer, of $3,000 or more, regardless of the method of payment.
If your credit card statement balance changes, your minimum payment might change as well. That's because minimum payments are calculated based on what you owe, so they are affected by your monthly spending, interest rates and possible fees.
Payment history — whether you pay on time or late — is the most important factor of your credit score making up a whopping 35% of your score. That's more than any one of the other four main factors, which range from 10% to 30%.
The charge-off remains on your credit report, but the collection account will show up on your credit report under Collections. The collection agency might sue you to get payment. Depending on the outcome of the lawsuit, the court might put a lien on your home or garnish your wages to repay what you owe.
Keeping a low credit utilization ratio is good, but having too many credit cards with zero balance may negatively impact your credit score. If your credit cards have zero balance for several years due to inactivity, your credit card issuer might stop sending account updates to credit bureaus.
A transactor is a consumer who pays their credit card balance in full and on time every month. Transactors do not carry a balance from month to month; they always pay their credit card bills in full by the due date, so they are not required to pay interest or late fees.
Depending on the type of bill and the merchant, you may be able to use a credit card to pay bills. Mortgages, rent and car loans typically can't be paid with a credit card. If you pay some bills, like utility bills, with a credit card, you may need to pay a convenience fee.
Yes, if you pay the minimum payment on your credit card statement, you could still get charged interest. By paying the minimum you keep your account in good standing but you do not avoid accruing interest. The exception to this is if you have a card with a 0% introductory APR, which usually is for a set period of time.
Only Making Minimum Payments Means You Pay More in Interest
But if you consistently carry a balance and make only the minimum payment, it could cost you. You may stay in debt longer and pay a lot more than your original balance, thanks to interest that typically compounds daily at high rates.
But your credit scores may still be affected when you pay only the minimum each month, according to Sherry. “It might hurt some aspects of credit scoring analytics, such as credit utilization,” Sherry says. “If you only pay the minimum, you're going to take longer to pay off outstanding balances.”
Paying off your monthly statement balances in full each month is the path to avoiding credit card debt. As long as you pay off your statement balance in full before the due date, you can continue making purchases on your credit card without paying interest until the next statement due date.
Percentage method: Some credit card issuers calculate the minimum payment as a percentage of your outstanding balance. This percentage typically falls within the range of 1% to 3% but can vary. For example, if your outstanding balance is $500 and the minimum payment percentage is 2%, your minimum payment would be $10.
Disadvantages of Paying only the Minimum Payment Due
You will not be offered any interest-free credit period if you have paid only the Minimum Amount Due (MAD) and not the credit card outstanding in full. Rather, you will be charged an interest amount from the date of purchase.