How to Pay Off $2,000 In Credit Card Debt (2024)

To pay off $2,000 in credit card debt within 36 months, you will need to pay $72 per month, assuming an APR of 18%. You would incur $608 in interest charges during that time, but you could avoid much of this extra cost and pay off your debt faster by using a 0% APR balance transfer credit card.

The average length of a 0% APR balance transfer intro period is 13 months, according to WalletHub’s Credit Card Landscape Report, and the average balance transfer fee is 3.1% of the transferred amount. Below, you can see how much you could save while paying off $2,000 over different time frames, assuming a 12-month 0% APR period, a 3% balance transfer fee, and an 18% regular APR.

Paying Off $2,000 with a 0% APR Balance Transfer Card

Months to Payoff

Monthly Payment

Total Interest Paid

Total Savings vs. Regular Card

12

$172

$0

$142

24

$90

$99

$240

36

$64

$257

$291

48

$52

$436

$331

60

$45

$629

$367


Of course, these aren’t the only timelines that you could commit to with $2,000 in debt. To price out more options, try WalletHub’s debt payoff calculator. This calculator can also help you decide if transferring the $2,000 in debt to a 0% APR balance transfer credit card would save you money.

Getting a 0% APR credit card isn’t the only way to pay off $2,000 in debt. In fact, there are many options to consider, each suited for slightly different situations.

Ways to Pay Off $2,000 in Credit Card Debt

  1. 0% APR Credit Card
  2. Personal Loan
  3. Debt Settlement
  4. Debt Management Plan
  5. Bankruptcy

0% APR Credit Card

0% APR credit cards allow you to avoid interest while paying down your debts. These cards can offer 0% introductory periods on new purchases or balance transfers for up to 21 months.

Keep in mind that you may have to pay a balance transfer fee, which is usually around 3% of the transferred amount. Also, if you decide to transfer your debt to one of these credit cards, do your best to pay it off before the 0% intro period ends and the typically-high regular interest rate kicks in.

Personal Loan

Personal loans can be used to pay off $2,000 in credit card debt, assuming you can qualify for a big enough loan with a lower interest rate than your current credit card interest rate. This depends heavily on your creditworthiness.

Debt Settlement

Debt settlement is when the debtor negotiates with the creditor to pay a lump-sum that covers less than the total amount of the debt. In return, the creditor will forgive part of the debt, as well as other outstanding fees. This option is good for people who have enough money to make a large payment all at once. When taking this route, just be careful not to overextend yourself financially, or you’ll likely just end up back in debt.

Debt Management Plan

Debt management plans allow the cardholder and the lender to amend the original payment agreement by lengthening the repayment term, lowering the interest rate, and perhaps even waiving fees. Each of these modifications is meant to make the repayment process more manageable for the cardholder. Keep in mind, though, that cardholders are still expected to pay the full $2,000 with these plans.

Bankruptcy

Bankruptcy should only be used as a last resort. While declaring bankruptcy may help you clear your debt, it will also damage your credit score for years.

This answer was first published on 02/07/24. For the most current information about a financial product, you should always check and confirm accuracy with the offering financial institution. Editorial and user-generated content is not provided, reviewed or endorsed by any company.

How to Pay Off $2,000 In Credit Card Debt (2024)

FAQs

How long does it take to pay off $2000 credit card debt? ›

If you can pay $100 a month, it might take you 25 months to pay off the debt. If the card has the same APR but an annual fee of $100, it might take 29 months. And if you can pay $300 a month for a 20% APR card with a $100 annual fee, it might take you 8 months to pay off $2,000.

How can I pay off 2000 in debt fast? ›

7 ways to pay off debt fast
  1. Pay more than the minimum payment every month. ...
  2. Tackle high-interest debts with the avalanche method. ...
  3. Set up a payment plan. ...
  4. Put extra money toward paying off your debts. ...
  5. Start a side hustle. ...
  6. Limit unnecessary spending. ...
  7. Don't let your debt hit collections.
May 9, 2023

Is $2000 credit card debt bad? ›

Is $2,000 too much credit card debt? $2,000 in credit card debt is manageable if you can pay more than the minimum each month. If it's hard to keep up with the payments, then you'll need to make some financial changes, such as tightening up your spending or refinancing your debt.

What is the minimum payment on a $2000 credit card? ›

The minimum payment on a $2,000 credit card balance is at least $20, plus any fees, interest, and past-due amounts, if applicable. If you were late making a payment for the previous billing period, the credit card company may also add a late fee on top of your standard minimum payment.

What is the quickest way to pay off credit card debt? ›

Strategies to help pay off credit card debt fast
  1. Review and revise your budget. ...
  2. Make more than the minimum payment each month. ...
  3. Target one debt at a time. ...
  4. Consolidate credit card debt. ...
  5. Contact your credit card provider.

How to pay off $5000 quickly? ›

Credit card refinancing can help you pay off $5,000 in credit card debt much faster because a personal loan comes with a predetermined end date. Debt consolidation loans allow you to combine multiple debts into one loan. Some lenders will even send your loan funds directly to your former creditors.

How to pay off debt when you live paycheck to paycheck? ›

Tips for Getting Out of Debt When You're Living Paycheck to Paycheck
  1. Tip #1: Don't wait. ...
  2. Tip #2: Pay close attention to your budget. ...
  3. Tip #3: Increase your income. ...
  4. Tip #4: Start an emergency fund – even if it's just pennies. ...
  5. Tip #5: Be patient.

Is 2k in debt bad? ›

A balance of just over $2,000 isn't insurmountable, $177 isn't a bad amount of interest to pay over more than a year, though $42,449 is probably an income your average Tennessean only dreams of.

How much credit card debt is too much? ›

The general rule of thumb is that you shouldn't spend more than 10 percent of your take-home income on credit card debt.

How long will it take to pay off $2000? ›

It will take 24 months to pay off $2,000 with payments of $100 per month, assuming the average credit card APR of around 18%. The time it takes to repay a balance depends on how often you make payments, how big your payments are and what the interest rate charged by the lender is.

Will a credit card company sue you for $2000? ›

Generally speaking, you're less likely to be sued if you owe less than $2,000 and more likely to be sued if you owe more than $2,000.

What is the average credit card debt for a 23 year old? ›

Average credit card debt in the U.S.
Q3 2023Q3 2021
Gen Z18–26$3,262 $3,262$2,282 $2,282
Millennials27–42$6,521 $6,521$4,576 $4,576
Gen X43–58$9,123 $9,123$7,070 $7,070
Baby boomers59–77$6,642 $6,642$5,804 $5,804
1 more row
Mar 27, 2024

How much is 30% of $2,000 credit limit? ›

What is a good credit utilization ratio? The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) recommends keeping your credit utilization ratio below 30%. So, if your only line of credit is a credit card with a $2,000 limit, that would mean keeping your balance below $600.

How to get rid of $15,000 credit card debt? ›

How to Pay Off $15,000 in Credit Card Debt
  1. Create a Budget. ...
  2. Debt Management Program. ...
  3. DIY (Do It Yourself) Payment Plans. ...
  4. Debt Consolidation Loan. ...
  5. Consider a Balance Transfer. ...
  6. Debt Settlement. ...
  7. Lifestyle Changes to Pay Off Credit Card Debt. ...
  8. Consider Professional Debt Relief Help.

Should I pay off my credit card in full or leave a small balance? ›

It's a good idea to pay off your credit card balance in full whenever you're able. Carrying a monthly credit card balance can cost you in interest and increase your credit utilization rate, which is one factor used to calculate your credit scores.

How long would it take to repay a $2000 credit card debt at a 19% interest rate by making only the minimum required payment of $25 month? ›

Final answer: It would take 6 years and 9 months to repay a $2,000 credit card debt at a 19% interest rate by making only the minimum required payment of $25/month.

How long to pay off $5,000 credit card with minimum payment? ›

1% of the balance plus interest: You would pay off $5,000 in 285 months. That means it would take nearly 24 years to eliminate your $5,000 balance if you only make minimum payments. During that time, you'll pay a total of $9,332.25 in interest for a total payoff cost of $14,332.25.

How long does it take to pay off 3000 credit card? ›

To pay off your balance of $3,000 in 12 months, you will need to make monthly payments of $262 and make no additional charges to your card. If you make monthly charges of $0 and monthly payments of $100 you will pay off your balance in 34 months or 2.83 years.

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