<prompt> Human: So Im in the process of paying off my large credit card debt. Im nearing a year since I completely stopped using it, and have been paying above the minimum consistently. Ive also instituted a policy where any windfall I get gifts, tax returns, bonuses get split: 50 to pay off debt 25 to savings no touchy! 15 to checking bufferregular cash flow 10 to treat myselfThis has worked out quite well and I havent felt deprived at all through this whole process. I found myself wondering about something, though, and thought that the PF wizards in this sub could help illuminate something for me.See, I understand that when youre carrying a balance, using your card for purchases is crazy. All of those times I used my card to eat out or order delivery, there was the purchase price, but the actual price I paid to put them on my card was probably close to double the amount due to the fact that I was increasing my balance and prolonging the amount of time I was paying interest. Cash on Hand ! Available Credit.However, what I havent been clear on is the theoreticals of use on the short term. For instance, if the only charge I made in a month was a 10 meal somewhere, and I then made a payment that was 10 larger than what it wouldve been otherwise for the month, how does that wash out? Am I actually paying more interest? Or am I performing the equivalent of healthy credit card use, where any purchases made in a month are wiped out by the end of the month?I ask not because I plan to start using my credit card again I dont, but because it occurred to me while I was thinking about how I plan to spend the 10 of my bonus thats mine to spend. I ultimately decided against using my credit card because a I can wait a week for the money to come in and b I dont want to risk spending more in interest than I already am.However, curiosity has the better of me and Im hoping you can help explain. Thank you!  <response>: If you carry a balance on your credit card, interest begins accumulating on new purchases immediately for most card agreements. This is why carrying a balance is really stupid.You are right, since you have a balance you shouldnt use that card to buy new things. Youll be paying interest on it the next day. Use a blank card or pay in cash. 