Compare avalanche vs snowball strategies and see how extra payments accelerate your debt-free date
Total interest paid by strategy (with $200/mo extra)
This calculator compares the two most popular debt payoff strategies — avalanche and snowball — using your actual balances, interest rates, and monthly budget. It builds a month-by-month payoff plan for each strategy and shows how long you'll be in debt, how much interest you'll pay, and how much an extra monthly payment changes both.
The avalanche method directs every spare dollar at the debt with the highest interest rate first, which minimizes total interest paid. The snowball method attacks the smallest balance first, which produces quick wins that help many people stay motivated. Mathematically the avalanche always wins or ties, but the best strategy is the one you'll actually stick with.
Avalanche (highest interest rate first) always costs the same or less in total interest, so it's the mathematically optimal choice. Snowball (smallest balance first) gives faster early wins, which research suggests helps people stay committed. If the interest difference between the two is small for your debts, pick the one that keeps you motivated.
As much as you can sustain after covering essentials and a small emergency buffer. Consistency matters more than size: a steady $100 extra every month usually beats occasional larger payments, because it reduces the balance that interest accrues on every single month.
Most planners suggest a starter emergency fund of $1,000–$2,000 first, then attacking high-interest debt aggressively, then building the full 3–6 month fund. Without any cushion, one surprise expense can push you back onto a credit card and undo your progress.
Paying down revolving balances generally helps your score by lowering credit utilization. Closing a paid-off credit card can reduce your available credit and average account age, so many people keep old cards open with a zero balance. Paying off an installment loan can cause a small, temporary dip but is almost always the right financial move.
Two proven approaches to eliminating debt — one saves more money, the other builds more momentum. Which is right for you?