The Minimums Met

How to complete The Minimums Met

Six straight months of never missing a minimum payment proves your due dates are under control and your credit isn't bleeding from late fees and penalty interest. It's the unglamorous foundation that protects your credit score while you work on bigger goals.

1. List every debt with its minimum payment, due date, and current statement balance
2. Set autopay for at least the minimum on each account so a busy week never causes a miss
3. Align due dates to just after payday by calling issuers to shift the billing cycle
4. Keep a small buffer in checking so an autopay never bounces
5. Check each account monthly to confirm the payment posted and no fee slipped through

Tips

• Autopay the minimum as a safety floor, then pay extra manually toward your highest-rate debt
• A posted date a day after the due date still counts as late, so pay two or three days early
• Most issuers will waive a first late fee if you call, but don't rely on it

What counts as done

Six consecutive monthly statements show on-time minimums paid with zero late fees charged.