Should you make a credit card payment twice a month? (2024)

FAQs

Should you make a credit card payment twice a month? ›

Fewer interest charges

Credit card companies calculate interest based on your average daily balance. Making a payment halfway through the month could lower this number. When the company calculates your interest, there could be a smaller charge than if you had only made one payment that month.

Fewer interest charges

Credit card companies calculate interest based on your average daily balance. Making a payment halfway through the month could lower this number. When the company calculates your interest, there could be a smaller charge than if you had only made one payment that month.

Does overpaying your credit card affect your credit? Fortunately, overpaying your credit card won't hurt your credit score. You might know that carrying a balance on your credit card affects your credit utilization ratio — or how much of your credit line you're using.

The 15/3 rule, a trending credit card repayment method, suggests paying your credit card bill in two payments—both 15 days and 3 days before your payment due date. Proponents say it helps raise credit scores more quickly, but there's no real proof. Building credit takes time and effort.

When you pay your credit card weekly, it can reduce your credit utilization and improve your credit score. Paying weekly also makes it easier to stay on top of your spending and stick to a budget. It's more convenient to pay monthly, especially because credit card companies don't have a weekly autopay option available.

Your credit utilization ratio is only one factor that makes up your credit score, and making multiple payments each month is unlikely to make a big difference. One scenario where it might have an impact is if you have a relatively low overall credit limit compared to the amount of purchases you make each month.

You're not limited to a single monthly payment. Smaller, more frequent payments can reduce your interest charges and provide other benefits.

The 15/3 credit hack gets its name from the practice of making your monthly payment in two installments: the first half 15 days before your due date and the second half three days before your due date. This hack, popular on various social media platforms, claims to be a shortcut to good credit.

Ideally, you should pay off your balance in full, though paying as much as you can above the minimum will help you save money. But don't feel defeated even if you're only able to make the minimum payment each month — you're still ensuring your credit remains in good standing.

It's a good idea to pay off your credit card balance in full whenever you're able.

What is the golden rule of credit cards? ›

Pay Off Your Balance

The golden rule of credit card usage is to do everything you can to pay off your entire balance each month. If you can do this, you won't be charged any interest.

Your credit card company cannot increase your rate for the first 12 months after you open an account. There are some exceptions: If your card has a variable interest rate tied to an index; your rate can go up whenever the index goes up.

Pay your balance every month

Paying the balance in full has great benefits. If you wait to pay the balance or only make the minimum payment it accrues interest. If you let this continue it can potentially get out of hand and lead to debt. Missing a payment can not only accrue interest but hurt your credit score.

Making two payments a month helps your credit score in the sense that it will keep your credit utilization down.

When you make biweekly payments, you could save more money on interest and pay your mortgage down faster than you would by making payments once a month. When you decide to make biweekly payments instead of monthly payments, you're using the yearly calendar to your benefit.

I've gotten into the habit of paying my credit cards off every two weeks, and I recommend this strategy to everyone. While you should always strive to pay your bills in full to avoid interest, this approach is even more impactful for cardholders who carry balances.

One factor they look at is how much credit you are using compared to how much you have available. In the case of a credit card, they look at the balance you owe compared to your available credit. Consistently paying off your credit card on time every month is one step toward improving your credit scores.

Paying off the debt on the card with the highest interest rate first is one method to reduce credit card debt. This is called the “debt avalanche method.” While some advocate for paying off your smallest debt first because it seems easier, you may save more on interest over time by chipping away at high-interest debt.

While it's perfectly fine to make that full payment once per month, it may be beneficial for your budget and credit score to make several small payments toward your balance instead, as long as they add up to your full balance owed.