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That minimum payment-the amount your card requires you to pay-can feel like progress until you check your statement balance and see it barely moved. When you carry a balance, part of your payment goes to interest-the cost of borrowing. How much depends on your balance, rate, fees, and card terms; on a small payment, it can leave little to lower what you owe. Here's the catch: making the minimum keeps payments going, but it doesn't mean your balance is shrinking quickly. Paying only that amount can stretch repayment over years and increase your total cost. The time and cost depend on your balance, rate, payment, and new charges. Treat the minimum-due line as a starting point, not proof of progress. Pay extra when you can, avoid new charges, and check your card's interest rate. That line tells you what's due-not how fast you're getting out of debt.