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Original poster

To think most people don’t actually pay off their credit cards in full each month?

455 replies

PoliteCyanViewer · 29/03/2025 11:48

I always hear advice about clearing your balance each month to avoid interest but how many people actually do it? With the cost of living, unexpected expenses, and temptations everywhere, is it realistic? Do you pay yours off in full or do you carry a balance?

OP posts:
PicaK · 29/03/2025 11:59

Yes always have. I wonder what the proportion is of those who do and who can't. Obviously this thread won't be realistic picture

LoudSnoringDog · 29/03/2025 11:59

We have an Amex card for the avoid points and pay it off full every month

SpiritAdder · 29/03/2025 11:59

We usually do, around 80% of the time. Sometimes, if it’s been a big month for emergencies, we will take 2-3months to pay it off.

JaceLancs · 29/03/2025 11:58

I put everything on credit card and pay off in full
each month, if I want actual credit I use 3 pay or PayPal credit to pay in 4 instalments

Galliano · 29/03/2025 11:58

There’s enough debt on credit cards to make them a profitable product for financial services providers to offer so clearly a significant amount of debt is not paid off in the interest free period.

theunbreakablecleopatrajones · 29/03/2025 11:57

I do, except for maybe 3 or 4 cashflow crisis periods in my 30 years of having one, when I didn’t for 3-6 months. It’s an infuriating waste of money not to.

jacktheladess · 29/03/2025 11:57

Always. We have a standing order to pay it off in full each month, not a set amount.

Starfishfriend · 29/03/2025 11:56

I only use it to do big purchases like a holiday or new sofa. I get a 12/24m interest free one, divide the cost by 12/24m and pay it off by the end of the term.

Pomegranatecarnage · 29/03/2025 11:56

I do. I never pay interest. If it’s a really large sum I’ll do a balance transfer for the cost of 1% of the money.

PipFab · 29/03/2025 11:56

Lucky enough to pay it off in full each month.

BakelikeBertha · 29/03/2025 11:55

Another one here who always pays the full bill at the end of the month. The only time I don't is if I want to take advantage of zero %, and then I make sure I have to complete amount in a savings account earning interest, before I purchase so that I'm able to pay the remainder when the interest free period runs out.

ThreePointOneFourOneFiveNine · 29/03/2025 11:55

I use my credit card for all of my spending because I want the insurance that comes with it in case I get defrauded (happed once and very minor). There’s been a handful of times when I haven’t completely cleared it due to a temporary cash flow issue, but the vast majority of the time I do.

xyzandabc · 29/03/2025 11:54

We pay our off in full every month. Always have done. We use it for pretty much everything, all household expenses, unless they don't take CC.

Builds up Tesco points and gets us a couple of Eurotunnel journeys for free each year

Radiatorvalves · 29/03/2025 11:54

Always. Rarely use it.

Seawolves · 29/03/2025 11:54

I do. I don't buy a huge amount on it, I mainly use it for online purchases and I always, always clear it.

MrsSkylerWhite · 29/03/2025 11:54

Gogogo12345 · Today 11:52
**
Always It's Amex and used to collect Avios points. Use it for everything I can and pay off monthly

One of ours is a Tesco Bank card and we did the same for the points. Was really useful when the kids were growing up. Not so much now points value has been reduced.

Sarah2891 · 29/03/2025 11:54

I always do.

Overthebow · 29/03/2025 11:53

We don’t use a credit card. Surely if you don’t pay it off in full every month the debt will just build up?

wherearemypastnames · 29/03/2025 11:53

Always have
lucky that my first year at work I was able to save loads ( no car ,no holiday, cheap room) which meant that I then had a buffer against unexpected high expenses ; and after that I wouldn’t buy until I had saved enough to clear the card by the time the bill was due

Matildatoldsuchdreadfullies · 29/03/2025 11:53

Put simply, if you can't pay off your credit card at the end of the month, you've overspent.

If you've had an emergency - well, that's a little different, but you should still be looking to clear the card asap, otherwise it's a bloody expensive loan.

Obviously, if you have a 0% card, that can be a great loan option. But you need to be on it, and ready to pay it back.

supercalifragilistic123 · 29/03/2025 11:52

I do too

museumum · 29/03/2025 11:52

I always do 11 months of the year. Around January I sometimes spread the cost over two months as pay our holiday balance that month as well as Xmas costs and car tax.

Gogogo12345 · 29/03/2025 11:52

Always It's Amex and used to collect Avios points. Use it for everything I can and pay off monthly

simpledeer · 29/03/2025 11:51

I only use mine to get the Avios. I hold two and always pay full balance by DD.

In my twenties I had about four cards and racked up loads of debt. I learned the hard way.

RampantIvy · 29/03/2025 11:51

Ours always get paid in full every month.

I only have my Which? subscription on it to make it easy to maintain a good credit rating, so the amount is minimal.