Minimum payments are a trap. On a $8,000 credit card balance at 22.99% APR, making only the minimum payment costs you over $9,000 in interest and takes more than 20 years to pay off. Most people have no idea. CardClarity shows you the real numbers — and then shows you exactly how to fix them.

Purpose-built for credit card debt. Not a general debt tracker. Not a full budget. Just the most useful credit card payoff tool available in Google Sheets.

How It Works

Enter each credit card — name, balance, APR, credit limit, and minimum payment. CardClarity calculates your monthly interest charge, your utilization percentage, and your payoff date under three payment strategies: minimum only, standard plan, and aggressive plan. The minimum payment trap calculator shows exactly how long and how much minimum-only payments cost you.

The extra payment impact calculator lets you enter any additional monthly amount and see the exact interest saved and months eliminated. Adjust the number until you find the extra payment that fits your budget and delivers the payoff date you want.

Enter each card — balance, APR, credit limit, minimum payment
Review the minimum payment trap — see the real cost of paying minimums
Compare three payment strategies side by side
Use the extra payment calculator to find your optimal monthly payment
Execute the plan and track progress monthly

Who It's For

CardClarity is built for people whose primary debt is credit cards and who want a focused, card-specific tool rather than a general debt tracker. It's the right fit if you:

Carry balances on one or more credit cards and want to eliminate them efficiently
Want to see exactly what your current APR is costing you per month
Are shocked by how long minimum-only payments take and want a better plan
Want to compare payment strategies before committing to one
Care about credit utilization and want to track it alongside payoff progress

If you have a mix of credit cards, personal loans, and other debt types, the Snowcap Strategy or Paydown Compass may be a better fit for your full debt picture.

What's Included

Credit Card Overview — all cards with balance, APR, credit limit, utilization, and minimum payment
Minimum Payment Trap Calculator — total interest and years to payoff on minimums only, per card
Three-Strategy Comparison — minimum only, standard plan, and aggressive plan side by side with payoff dates and interest saved
Extra Payment Impact Calculator — enter any extra monthly amount and see exact interest saved and months eliminated
Utilization Tracker — overall and per-card utilization with a visual gauge and 30% reminder
Payoff Forecast Chart — balance declining toward zero with projected payoff date marked

Instant digital download. After purchase, you'll receive a link to copy the Google Sheet directly to your Google Drive. No software to install, works on any device.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the minimum payment trap calculator?
It shows the total interest and years to payoff if you only make minimums. For most cards at 20%+ APR, the numbers are alarming — often 15-25 years and thousands in interest.

What are the three payment strategies?
Minimum Only, Standard Plan, and Aggressive Plan — all shown side by side with payoff dates and total interest so you can choose what fits your budget.

How does the extra payment calculator work?
Enter any extra monthly amount and see exactly how many months it eliminates and how much interest it saves. Adjust until you find the right number.

Why does credit utilization matter?
It's one of the biggest factors in your credit score. CardClarity tracks it per card and overall so you can see how payoff progress improves your credit profile.

Is this a subscription?
One-time purchase. Copy it to your Google Drive and own it forever. No fees, no account, no renewal.

CardClarity – Credit Card Payoff Tracker Google Sheets