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Better to pay off credit card or save

So I've just got my first credit card and would appreciate some tips on the best way to spend and pay it off.

One thing I would like to know is if it is better to pay off the full balance as soon as it's payable on the account, wait a few days/weeks then pay it in full, pay it off in installments or just make the minimum payments every money until fully payed off?

Thanks.
«13

Comments

  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 35,383 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    edited 9 September 2020 at 8:18PM
    Unless it's at 0%, pay in full by the due date each month.
  • Forgot to mention it's 0% for 18 months.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 35,383 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    edited 9 September 2020 at 9:15PM
    Then you can pay the minimum and make a few pence interest on your savings, but make sure it's paid by the end of the promo period.  Set up a DD so you don't miss payments.

    If you're just looking to build some good credit history though, I would recommend clearing in full regardless.
  • Then you can pay the minimum and make a few pence interest on your savings, but make sure it's paid by the end of the promo period.  Set up a DD so you don't miss payments.

    If you're just looking to build some good credit history though, I would recommend clearing in full regardless.
    Clearing in full as soon as it appears on the account or as long as it's before the 0% ends?

    Is one better than the other in your opinion?
  • Neither 

    After you get the statement and before the due date.
  • So pay the balance of the card when I get my statement?

    I want to do what's best to build credit.
  • Yes.      
  • 20aday
    20aday Posts: 2,610 Forumite
    Ninth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker PPI Party Pooper
    Sorry to jump on board but my own personal experience: used to pay off my account once any spending had been posted to my account because I thought I was doing the 'right thing'-wasn't until I read here on MSE a fair few years ago that paying off your bill each month once the statement had been generated and before the due date would be far more beneficial.

    It's not your credit score that counts, it's your credit history. Any replies are my own personal opinion and not a representation of my employer.
  • born_again
    born_again Posts: 23,649 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Sixth Anniversary Name Dropper
    RyanY3105 said:
    Forgot to mention it's 0% for 18 months.
    So pay off the minimum, but remember to put away the rest of the balance in a separate savings account. So once the 18 months is up. You can pay in full.
    Not end up hoping you get a further 0% balance transfer offer.
    Life in the slow lane
  • Minimum payment   OUCH!!!   Old threads somewhere about that..  £5000 with just the minimum payment could
    take close to 20 years to pay off depending in the interest rate.


    Censorship Reigns Supreme in Troll City...

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