The minimum-payment trap
Card minimums are typically around 2–3% of the balance, often just covering interest. Paying only the minimum can keep you in debt for decades and cost several times your original balance in interest. This calculator shows the payoff months and total interest for the payment you choose — try raising it to watch the savings compound.
Strategies
The avalanche method targets your highest-APR card first and saves the most money. The snowball method targets the smallest balance first for psychological wins. Both work — pick the one you'll stick with.
If you carry a balance, a balance-transfer card can pause interest for up to ~18 months. Compare balance-transfer cards here.