Don't let the credit card companies suck you dry!

If you make the minimum payment every month on your card--and you don't continue charging for new items--you will pay and pay. For years.

We calculated the length of the payment period and the amount of interest you would pay making the minimum payment on a standard credit card contract. You will pay for a decade or more and you will likely pay as much or more in interest than you originally borrowed.

Click here to estimate how long it will take you to pay off your credit card balance.

Your best bet--pay more than the minimum each month. Pay as much as you can afford, so you can get those card balances down. For more tips on buying and using your credit cards effectively, click here!