What is the rule of 72 for credit card debt?

Asked by: Aidan Jenkins  |  Last update: March 30, 2025
Score: 4.7/5 (41 votes)

The Rule of 72 predicts how long an investment will take to double based on a fixed annual interest rate. The rule is this: 72 divided by the interest rate number equals the number of years for the investment to double in size.

Does the Rule of 72 actually work?

The rule of 72 is only an approximation that is accurate for a range of interest rate (from 6% to 10%). Outside that range the error will vary from 2.4% to 14.0%.

How to get rid of $30,000 credit card debt?

5 expert-driven tips for paying off $30,000 in credit card debt
  1. Choose a debt repayment strategy.
  2. Tap your home's equity.
  3. Take out a debt consolidation loan.
  4. Utilize credit card debt settlement.
  5. Use a balance transfer credit card.

Does the Rule of 72 apply to debt?

On the flip side, the “rule of 72” can also apply to credit card debt. Just like the accelerated growth on your savings, the same thing can happen—in the opposite direction—when debts compound. And credit card providers typically charge interest rates higher than 10%.

What is the Rule of 72 credit cards?

Here is how it works:

Your credit card has a 25% actual percentage rate (APR) and you have a $1,000 charged to the card. You take 72 and divide 25%, 72/25 = 2.88. This means that in 2.88 years, the $1,000 charge would double to $2,000.

Credit Card Debt.. What is the Rule of 72?

28 related questions found

What is the 50 30 20 rule for credit card debt?

50% goes towards necessary expenses. 30% goes towards things you want. 20% goes towards savings or paying off debt.

How to double $2000 dollars in 24 hours?

Try Flipping Things

Another way to double your $2,000 in 24 hours is by flipping items. This method involves buying items at a lower price and selling them for a profit. You can start by looking for items that are in high demand or have a high resale value. One popular option is to start a retail arbitrage business.

How long will it take to double your money using the Rule of 72?

The rule is this: 72 divided by the interest rate number equals the number of years for the investment to double in size. For example, if the interest rate is 12%, you would divide 72 by 12 to get 6. This means that the investment will take about 6 years to double with a 12% fixed annual interest rate.

What is the proper order to eliminate debt?

Focus on one debt at a time.

Start with the credit cards or loans with the highest interest rate and make the minimum payments on your other cards. Or, start with the debt you can pay off the quickest if you need the boost of satisfaction that comes from wiping a loan off your books.

How can I double $5000 dollars in a year?

10+ Ways to Double $5,000
  1. Start a Side Hustle. Perhaps the most common method of making more money is starting a side hustle. ...
  2. Invest in Stocks and Bonds. ...
  3. Day Trade. ...
  4. Save More Money. ...
  5. Buy and Resell Items on Amazon and eBay. ...
  6. Build an eCommerce Business. ...
  7. Sell Your Stuff. ...
  8. Earn cashback When You Shop.

Can senior citizens stop paying credit card debt?

Many seniors are “judgment proof,” which means their income is derived from retirement, Social Security, or other accounts that can't be garnished. Debt collectors may not bother to take seniors in this situation to court, since they're unlikely to get the money that way.

What is credit card debt forgiveness?

This approach typically involves negotiating with credit card companies to settle your debt by making a single lump-sum payment that's lower than your current balance. However, debt forgiveness isn't a simple fix, and careful consideration is necessary before pursuing this route.

What percentage will credit card companies settle for?

A fair settlement offer typically falls between 30% and 50% of the total amount owed. However, it's imperative to note that this can vary based on several factors, including how delinquent the account is.

Is the Rule of 72 Risky?

Dividing 72 by the annual rate of return gives investors an estimate of how many years it will take for the initial investment to duplicate. It is a reasonably accurate estimate, especially at low interest rates.

What is the 8 4 3 rule?

This rule is based on the principle of compounding interest and suggests that if you invest in a mutual fund with a 12 per cent annual return, your investment will double approximately every 8 years. After the first doubling, it will double again in the next 4 years, and then a final time in the subsequent 3 years.

What is the 7 3 2 rule?

The theme of the rule is to save your first crore in 7 years, then slash the time to 3 years for the second crore and just 2 years for the third! Setting an initial target of Rs 1 crore is a strategic move for several reasons.

How do I get out of debt with no money and bad credit?

How to Get Out of Debt With No Money and Bad Credit
  1. Filing for Bankruptcy. Filing for bankruptcy is a last resort option for many people drowning in debt, mostly because it gets a bad rap. ...
  2. Debt Consolidation. Consolidating debt is a very popular debt relief option. ...
  3. Debt Settlement. ...
  4. The Snowball Method. ...
  5. The Island Approach.

Does the US government have a debt relief program?

Key Takeaways. There aren't any free government debt relief programs for credit card or personal loan debt other than bankruptcy. Many types of government debt relief exist in the form of grants and low-interest loans for specific purposes.

How to stop paying credit cards legally?

Bankruptcy. Bankruptcy is another legal option that can help you stop paying credit cards. It helps individuals and businesses that can't afford to pay off their debts by evaluating and using their assets to pay off outstanding debts.

How long will it take to increase a $2200 investment to $10,000 if the interest rate is 6.5 percent?

Final answer:

It will take approximately 15.27 years to increase the $2,200 investment to $10,000 at an annual interest rate of 6.5%.

How to double $10,000?

To potentially turn $10k into $100k, consider investments in established businesses, real estate, index funds, mutual funds, dividend stocks, or cryptocurrencies. High-risk, high-reward options like cryptocurrencies and peer-to-peer lending could accelerate returns but also carry greater risks.

How to turn $4000 into $8000?

Buy $4000 worth of goods at wholesale, resell them with a 150% markup. Pay your taxes. Done. Invest some of the money in tools and supplies and provide a service.

What is 1 doubled every day for 30 days?

If you start with 1 dollar and double it every day for 30 days, you would have approximately $1,073,741,824. This shows the concept of exponential growth. Like the penny example, this is not typically possible in real-world investing scenarios.

What is the easiest way to double your money in no time?

Trading options is one of the fastest ways to double your money — or lose it all. Options can be lucrative but also quite risky. And to double your money with them, you'll need to take some risk. The biggest upsides (and downsides) in options occur when you buy either call options or put options.